According to a new “New York Times” report, D. Trump changed planes this month before leaving Turkey, after US officials determined that he and Air Force One faced a real threat from Iranian-backed forces.
Read more «Those not going to the celebration, better avoid Aleksotas»: Traffic jams stretch in Kaunas
The threat emerged when the US President attended the NATO summit.
He arrived in Ankara on a new Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar, which, as D. Trump himself admitted, does not have the same advanced defense systems as the older Air Force One.
According to anonymous sources interviewed by “The Times”, after US officials identified the threat, D. Trump was advised to switch to another plane before leaving the country. He later announced that he would depart on the older Air Force One.
Plan to launch a missile
“CBS News” later confirmed “The New York Times” report on Friday, citing unnamed US officials: US Secret Service decided to change the plane after receiving intelligence about a plan to launch a missile at the presidential aircraft.
Recently released threat data helps explain why the White House quickly decided to change aircraft. They also highlight ongoing security concerns about the donated plane, which D. Trump urged to be made ready for use as soon as possible.
According to the report, US officials did not believe that Iranian-backed forces were specifically targeting the new Boeing 747-8. Instead, intelligence indicated that the threat was directed at D. Trump himself and any aircraft he would be traveling on.
The White House was contacted for comment.
Attacked journalists
D. Trump’s Justice Department had previously sent subpoenas to “The New York Times” journalists for their reporting on security risks related to the presidential Air Force One replacement donated by Qatar, but the Justice Department has so far halted these actions.
Earlier this month, it was reported that D. Trump flew part of his journey home from the NATO summit in Turkey on an older Air Force One, despite having arrived at the summit on the new, Qatar-donated plane.
At the time, D. Trump did not provide a detailed explanation for this plane change, stating that he would use the old plane “for old times’ sake.”
He also said that both planes would make a previously unscheduled stop at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, a base used by US troops, before returning to the US.
While D. Trump did not explain at the time why he had to switch planes, he has previously spoken about Iranian threats to his life, even stating that he left standing orders for the US military to destroy Iran “to an extent they have never seen” if Tehran were to carry out its long-stated threats to kill him.
“Massive military punishment”
D. Trump is considering intensifying attacks against Iran in the ongoing conflict after a recent ceasefire agreement collapsed.
The US President promised “massive military punishment” for Tehran and its allies in Yemen, although he again left open the possibility of a diplomatic agreement with Iran.
“We are talking to them. I think they are serious. I think… they are, without a doubt, the most serious we have seen so far, but that doesn’t mean we will reach an agreement,” D. Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday.
Read more Football official suspected of embezzlement detained in Slovakia
He added: “We are ready and prepared. We can start.”
