WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has revealed new details about his secret flight from Turkey last month, saying the aircraft he was originally expected to travel on could have faced a greater security risk because of threats from Iran.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he followed Secret Service instructions when changing aircraft in Turkey.
Trump said he did not trust Iran and believed the aircraft he was initially scheduled to use could have been at greater risk.
Trump’s Secret Return from Turkey
The comments follow a report by a US newspaper about Trump’s unexpected departure from Turkey after last month’s NATO summit.
According to the report, Trump publicly appeared to board Air Force One at Ankara airport. However, he was secretly moved from the presidential aircraft to another plane using a catering truck.
Trump then reportedly left Turkey aboard a US Air Force C-32A aircraft and travelled to the United Kingdom.
The report said journalists and White House staff remained unaware of the switch.
Air Force One Cover Operation
According to the report, journalists aboard Air Force One were instructed to keep the window shades closed.
The media and White House staff believed Trump was still travelling on Air Force One, while the president had already been moved to the C-32A.
It remains unclear how Trump later returned to Air Force One after reaching the United Kingdom.
Trump’s latest comments provide further insight into the security concerns surrounding his departure from Turkey and the precautions taken by the Secret Service amid tensions with Iran.
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