Security concerns force Trump to switch aircraft in Turkey.

Iranian proxy threats prompt secret service intervention during NATO summit.

US President Donald Trump was compelled to change planes while departing Turkey earlier this month after US intelligence flagged a credible threat from Iranian proxy forces. The incident unfolded during the NATO summit in Ankara, where Trump initially arrived aboard the newly retrofitted Boeing 747-8, a jet donated by Qatar. However, following urgent advice from the Secret Service, he left the country on the older Air Force One, which is equipped with more advanced defensive systems.

Officials familiar with the matter revealed that the threat was directed at Trump personally and whichever aircraft he was traveling in, rather than targeting the Qatari-donated plane specifically. While the White House initially described the switch as routine, sources later confirmed that heightened security concerns were the driving factor. Publicly, Trump dismissed speculation about threats, claiming the change was made so American service members in Britain could tour the newer aircraft.

The Boeing 747-8, though modernized, lacks certain anti-missile protections found on the older Air Force One. Trump himself acknowledged this gap, noting that the aircraft would soon be “maxed out” with upgrades. The jet, approximately 14 years old, underwent a rapid retrofit before entering presidential service but is scheduled for further enhancements later this year. During that period, Trump will continue to rely on the older Air Force One.

The reported threat in Turkey was distinct from separate intelligence allegedly shared by Israel regarding Iranian plots against Trump. Some US officials viewed the Israeli information with skepticism, suspecting it might have been intended to push Washington toward a stronger military stance against Tehran. At the time of Trump’s visit, US forces had resumed strikes against Iran, further escalating tensions.

Speaking at the summit, Trump acknowledged the risks he faces, stating, “They want to take out the US leader- me. I’m on every list. So far, I guess I’ve been a little lucky, but that maybe doesn’t last very long.”

Secret Service Director Sean Curran later emphasized that threats against senior American leaders have reached unprecedented levels. “The numbers at this agency, and certainly I’ve never seen in my 24-year career, they’re off the charts,” he said, describing the current environment as volatile and dangerous. Curran, who previously led Trump’s protective detail, was among those shielding him during the assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024.

This episode underscores both the rising threat landscape confronting US leaders and the ongoing debate over the readiness of the new presidential aircraft.