'I do what Secret Service says': Trump confirms switching planes over Iran threat

President Donald Trump revealed on Tuesday that he was transferred to a different aircraft while traveling from Turkey last month due to a perceived threat from Iran. The US president stated that he blindly followed the instructions of the Secret Service and military, claiming the initial plane he boarded posed a "greater risk."

Trump affirmed that he did not inquire further about the matter, acknowledging that there were numerous threats he had faced. He later elaborated that the plane he ultimately flew on may have been more vulnerable, as it might have been a more targeted target. This security maneuver came after reports indicated that Trump had secretly switched from Air Force One to a smaller military aircraft, an Air Force C-32A, amid an alleged Iranian assassination threat.

The Washington Post cited a US official who corroborated the operation's details, which was prompted by intelligence from Israel about Iran's intent to target Trump's aircraft with shoulder-fired missiles. Despite the threat, certain senior Trump administration officials stayed on Air Force One, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The extraordinary security operation unfolded as tensions with Iran were escalating, with Trump's visit to Turkey for the NATO summit marking his first international trip aboard a newly renovated aircraft gifted by Qatar.