President Donald Trump was secretly moved from Air Force One to another US government aircraft in a catering truck during last month's NATO summit in Turkey, an operation prompted by a reported Iranian assassination threat, according to U.S. officials cited by the Washington Post.
The deception unfolded on 8 July at Ankara Airport, where Trump had boarded the older Air Force One after security officials decided it was safer because it had air defence systems that the new aircraft lacked. He was then bundled into a catering vehicle and driven to an accompanying C-32 military aircraft, while reporters believed they were still traveling with him.
The Washington Post reported that the Secret Service took the threat seriously. The intelligence, which came from Israel, suggested that Iranian operatives could target Trump's plane from within a one-kilometre radius using shoulder-fired missiles known as Manpads. Ankara was under lockdown for the NATO summit on 7-8 July, with roads blocked and much of the city deserted. The Turkish government had turned Etimesgut Air Base, officially called Ankara Airport, into the summit venue.
US officials told their Turkish counterparts about the Israeli report. Earlier alleged plots were cited: in July 2024, Pakistani national Asif Merchant was arrested over an alleged plot to kill US politicians, and in November 2024, the US Justice Department charged Afghan national Farhad Shakeri, alleging Iran had instructed him to plan Trump's assassination. Iran has denied targeting Trump or other American officials.
However, Middle East Eye reported that Turkish officials suspect the Israeli intelligence report was a ruse. They believe it was likely fabricated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to portray Israel as protecting Trump, derail Trump's negotiations with Iran, and undermine his relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to people familiar with the matter.
The report came as Trump was negotiating a deal with Iran to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. During his meeting with Erdogan, Trump said the war had ended and signaled he was prepared to lift sanctions on Turkey over its S-400 missile purchase and sell F-35 fighter jets to Ankara. Netanyahu strongly opposed those moves. A Turkish official confirmed to Middle East Eye that US officials had sought additional landing permits for the C-32 and pushed for last-minute changes, leaving Ankara with the impression something was amiss. An Ankara insider told the outlet that the details of the operation were leaked a month after the summit, and that it was "an attack that never happened and, most likely, was never planned."