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President Donald Trump has acknowledged that he switched aircraft while departing from a NATO summit in Turkey last month following detection of a potential security threat. During an interview with reporters, Trump stated that both the Secret Service and military officials had recommended the change and that he was obligated to follow their guidance on such matters.
Intelligence officials indicated that the United States had identified a credible Iranian threat involving a possible missile attack on the presidential aircraft. Additional reporting suggested that US intelligence had gathered information about an individual near the summit location who had been observed carrying a shoulder-fired missile launcher.
The aircraft swap involved an elaborate procedure in which Trump boarded the traditional Air Force One in front of cameras before being transported via an elevated catering truck to a military C-32A plane. Journalists and White House staff who remained on the original aircraft were unaware of the presidential departure, with some reporting they had been instructed to keep window shades closed during the incident.
Trump stated that the alternative aircraft may have faced greater risk as the intended target, noting that switching planes was a necessary security measure. The incident occurred one day after the US resumed military operations against Iran amid failed diplomatic negotiations.
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