Last Updated:
Donald Trump secretly flew from Turkey aboard a US Air Force C-32A amid an Iranian threat, a report has claimed.
US President Donald Trump secretly flew from Turkey aboard a smaller C-32A military aircraft amid an Iranian threat (Photo: AFP/Video screengrab)
US President Donald Trump secretly flew out of Turkey last month aboard a smaller US military aircraft after an Iranian threat prompted a covert change in his travel arrangements, The Washington Post reported.
Trump had travelled to Ankara for the NATO summit aboard a newly renovated Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar.
However, instead of departing Turkey on that aircraft or the older Air Force One, as publicly indicated, he was secretly transferred to a US Air Force C-32A that flew him to Britain, the report mentioned.
The operation took place on July 8 as tensions with Iran were escalating.
Iran borders Turkey.
ALSO READ | ‘Iran Must Pay Back’: Trump Turns Tables On Tehran, Demands Compensation For Decades Of Attacks
According to a US official familiar with the operation and another person familiar with Trump’s travel, cited by the report, Trump first boarded the older Air Force One in Ankara in front of cameras.
He was then discreetly moved into an airport catering truck, which transported him to the smaller C-32A aircraft.
The C-32A subsequently flew Trump to Britain, arriving at around 10.20 pm.
The older Air Force One, carrying journalists and other personnel, arrived minutes later.
The arrangement was designed to make it appear that Trump remained aboard the larger aircraft.
Trump had publicly said that he would take the older, “baby blue” Air Force One from Ankara to RAF Mildenhall in Britain “for old time’s sake”.
He also said the newly renovated aircraft would stop at the same base so US service members stationed there could tour the plane.
ALSO READ | Iran Rules Out Talks With Trump, Says Will Wait Until His Term Ends In 2029
The secret transfer has now provided a different explanation for the unusual aircraft switch.
The Iranian threat had previously been reported by US media as the reason Trump did not fly out of Turkey aboard the Qatar-donated aircraft.
Several reports had linked the threat to Iranian proxy forces.
The aircraft’s security has also come under scrutiny.
The Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8 had been used by Trump for his journey into Turkey, marking its first overseas trip.
The plane had been rapidly retrofitted after Qatar’s royal family donated it to the United States last year.
The New York Times had previously reported that the new aircraft lacked some of the security features available on the older Air Force One, including anti-missile defences.
Journalists aboard the older plane leaving Ankara were also instructed to keep their window blinds down, a measure normally associated with war zones.
The Washington Post report said video showed a catering truck being lowered from the older Air Force One shortly after Trump boarded it.
The vehicle was then seen travelling toward the C-32A in the distance.
After the aircraft landed in Britain, Trump was filmed disembarking from the larger Air Force One before making his way to the newly retrofitted aircraft.
The Post said it remained unclear how Trump was transferred back to the larger plane.
Commenting on the secret flight, White House’s Communications Director Steven Cheung said, “The new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft that has been fitted with high-level security protocols that ensure the safety of the President and his staff.”
Cheung added, “As the President has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal to address those threats.”
The White House had issued the same statement when questions about the aircraft’s security first emerged.
The Qatar-donated aircraft had made its first flight carrying Trump on July 1, when he travelled to North Dakota, before being used for his NATO trip to Turkey just days later.
The aircraft was donated after Trump had complained about the condition of the two ageing Boeing 747s that had served as Air Force One since 1990.
ALSO READ | Trump’s Gaza Peace Board Official Says Plan ‘Still Operative’ Despite Netanyahu’s Rejection
About the Author
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
August 11, 2026, 06:57 IST
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]