Newsroom
US President Donald Trump was secretly flown out of Turkey on a military plane after American officials received information about a possible Iranian threat against him and Air Force One, according to US media reports.
The carefully planned operation involved three aircraft and a group of journalists who unknowingly became part of the plan.
Trump was first filmed boarding the familiar blue-and-white Air Force One on July 8. But once the cameras were gone, he reportedly left the aircraft from the other side in a catering container, the type normally used to lift food and supplies onto a plane.
He was then taken to a different military aircraft and flown secretly to Britain.
The journalists travelling with the president were not told that Trump was no longer on their plane. They continued to Britain believing he was still on board, effectively acting as decoys.
After landing at a British military base, Trump was quietly taken back to the original Air Force One. He then walked down the stairs in front of reporters and crossed the runway to the newer Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar, which flew him back to Washington.
The unusual plan was reportedly put together within hours because US officials feared Iran could target Trump or his aircraft.
When reporters later questioned Trump, he said he did not know about a specific threat but claimed he remained Iran’s main target.
“I’m number one on their list,” he said.
Iran has been accused of seeking revenge against Trump over his decision to order the killing of senior Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in 2020. However, there has been no public proof that Tehran was directly behind this particular threat.
*Source: New York Times
