- Donald Trump was secretly transferred from Turkey to the UK on a C-32A aircraft amid an Iranian assassination threat, while the older Air Force One served as a decoy, according to the *Washington Post*.
- The operation occurred after US forces resumed military strikes against Iran on Trump's orders following the collapse of negotiations, as reported by the *Washington Post*.
- Trump was seen boarding the older Air Force One in front of cameras, but was secretly transferred to the C-32A using a catering truck, as detailed by a US official.
- The C-32A landed at RAF Mildenhall at 10:20 p.m., while the older Air Force One landed about nine minutes later, according to flight tracking data.
- After landing, Trump appeared to descend the stairs of the older Air Force One at around 10:56 p.m., creating the impression he had flown on it.
- The new Air Force One received from Qatar departed Turkey first on July 8, while Trump boarded the older Air Force One before being transferred to the C-32A.
- The older Air Force One effectively served as a decoy, with journalists and White House staff believing Trump was aboard, while he flew to the UK on the C-32A.
- Concerns about Iranian plots targeting senior American officials, including Trump, have intensified following US involvement in the killings of Iranian officials.
- In response to the controversy surrounding the new aircraft, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung defended its security protocols, stating it is equipped with high-level security measures.
President Trump was involved in a covert operation last month due to an Iranian threat to assassinate him, which led to a secret flight from Turkey to the UK on a military aircraft. The operation was executed without the knowledge of journalists and some White House staff, who believed they were on the same plane as the president.
On the night of the operation, Trump publicly boarded the older blue and white Air Force One, waving goodbye in front of cameras. However, he was secretly transferred to a smaller US Air Force C-32A aircraft using a catering truck to conceal the transfer. This arrangement effectively made the older aircraft a “decoy,” keeping Trump's actual location hidden for several hours from the public and senior administration officials.13
The operation followed the resumption of US military strikes against Iran, ordered by Trump after negotiations with Tehran collapsed. Concerns about Iranian plots targeting senior American officials, including Trump, have been heightened due to the US's involvement in the killings of key Iranian figures. Intelligence officials had identified a specific threat against the president or his aircraft, prompting the implementation of additional security measures.
This unprecedented security operation underscores the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, as well as the lengths to which the administration will go to protect its leaders.
“The transfer used a catering truck to move Trump to a C-32A, which landed at RAF Mildenhall hours after the decoy aircraft. White House staff ordered journalists to close window shades, and the administration later withdrew subpoenas issued to reporters.”
The Jerusalem Post
