Ablenkungsmanöver: Geheimer Flugzeugwechsel nach Morddrohung aus Iran? So soll Trump vom Nato-Gipfel zurückgereist sein

U.S. President Donald Trump allegedly took a secret military flight out of Turkey last month following an Iranian assassination threat, according to a media report. The White House confirmed at the time that Trump was aboard the presidential aircraft, Air Force One, reported The Washington Post on Monday. The ruse was triggered by a credible threat against Trump following the NATO summit in Ankara.

After climbing aboard the older Air Force One in front of live cameras, Trump was covertly transferred to a smaller military aircraft, the C-32A, via a catering vehicle. Journalists, who believed they were traveling with Trump in the older plane, were instructed to keep the press cabin windows closed. The aircraft served as a distraction.

When reporters asked why the windows had to remain closed, Trump later said they were "probably on a dangerous flight." He added: "But if I go, you go too, right?" The plane with Trump on board reportedly landed minutes before the journalists' aircraft at the British military base RAF Mildenhall. The White House statement to The Washington Post said there are many enemies of America who might have targeted the president.

"We use every means available to us to meet these threats," said Communications Director Steve Cheung. A similar operation reportedly took place in 2000 when President Bill Clinton used an unmarked plane for a flight to Pakistan while the actual Air Force One flew ahead as a distraction. More: Trump accuses Iran of spreading disinformation.