The Washington Post has reported that US President Donald Trump was secretly moved out of Turkey as part of an extraordinary security operation prompted by intelligence about a credible Iranian threat against him.
According to the newspaper, Trump did not leave Ankara aboard the aircraft publicly presented as Air Force One. Instead, he was allegedly transferred to a smaller US Air Force aircraft, while journalists and even some White House staff believed he was travelling on the presidential jet.
The operation reportedly took place on 8 July, following a NATO summit in Ankara, and was organised after US officials received intelligence linked to an Iranian threat. The night before, US forces had carried out fresh strikes against Iran on Trump's orders after talks between Washington and Tehran collapsed.
Air Force One used as a decoy
According to the report, Trump initially boarded the older presidential Boeing 747 in full view of television cameras, creating the impression that he would depart on that aircraft.
Minutes later, however, he is said to have left the plane unnoticed and transferred to a C-32A, a modified Boeing 757 used to transport senior US officials.
The transfer reportedly took place in an unusual manner.
Trump and a small group of aides allegedly boarded an airport catering truck, similar to those used to deliver food and supplies to aircraft.
The vehicle was positioned on the side of Air Force One hidden from cameras and journalists. Its hydraulic lift was raised to the aircraft door, allowing the president and his entourage to leave unseen before being driven to the waiting C-32A.
A US official quoted by the newspaper reportedly described the older Air Force One as a "decoy", as journalists and some White House staff remained onboard, unaware that Trump had already switched aircraft.
Journalists unaware Trump was absent
The operation was reportedly so tightly held that members of the travelling press corps who boarded the presidential aircraft were never informed that Trump was no longer on board.
White House staff are also said to have instructed journalists to lower their window shades during departure from Ankara.
According to the report, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also boarded the C-32A and travelled with Trump to Britain. His presence reportedly helped make the flight appear routine.
The aircraft carrying Trump allegedly did not use the "Air Force One" callsign. Instead, it reportedly flew under the callsign "Reach 18" (RCH18), while systems that would normally allow easier public flight tracking had been disabled.
Public account differed from reality
The Washington Post reported that the White House's public version of events was different.
Officials maintained that Trump had departed Turkey aboard the blue-and-white Boeing 747 normally associated with presidential travel.
The newspaper said it remains unclear how many senior US officials were fully briefed on the operation or Trump's whereabouts during the flight.
After landing at RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom, Trump reportedly emerged in front of television cameras from the older Air Force One, reinforcing the impression that he had travelled aboard it throughout the journey.
"I'm number one on Iran's list"
Later, while travelling back to the United States, Trump referred to threats against his life without revealing the alleged aircraft switch.
Asked why journalists had been instructed to close their window shades in Turkey, he replied that it was probably because it was a "dangerous flight."
He also stated that he faces constant threats and is "number one" on Iran's target list.
According to the Washington Post, when the White House was asked about the report, it did not directly deny the details of the operation.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said only that the United States uses all available means to protect the president against threats.
Source: The Washington Post
