Iran Assassination Plot Against Trump Reportedly Prompted Air Force One Switch, Intelligence Says
President Donald Trump reportedly traveled home from this week’s NATO summit under heightened security after U.S. officials received intelligence suggesting Iran was plotting to assassinate him.
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, U.S. intelligence shared by Israel pointed to what officials described as a “fresh” Iranian plot targeting Trump during his return from the NATO Summit in Turkey. The reported threat is believed to be the reason the president unexpectedly switched Air Force One aircraft before departing for the United States.
Trump initially flew aboard the administration’s new $400 million Air Force One, a jet gifted by the Qatari government that has drawn criticism from lawmakers and ethics experts. However, for the return trip, he boarded an older presidential aircraft instead.
Secret Service Reportedly Recommended Aircraft Change
When asked by reporters Wednesday whether the plane change was related to security concerns, Trump denied there were any issues. He said the newer aircraft had been sent to a U.S. Air Force base in England so military personnel could tour it.
Multiple news outlets, however, reported that the U.S. Secret Service recommended the switch because the newer aircraft lacks some of the defensive and secure communications capabilities available on the traditional presidential plane.
While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump acknowledged the possibility of threats against him.
“If I go, you go,” Trump said when asked about the reported danger.
He later added:
“You’re probably on a dangerous flight because of the sleaze bags that we have to deal with. These are sick people. So I could see something like that.”
Trump also told reporters, “I have a threat all the time. I’m number one on their list before you.”
Iran Has Repeatedly Vowed Retaliation
Iranian leaders have long vowed revenge against Trump following the 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani during Trump’s first term.
According to the report, tensions intensified after recent military actions involving Iran. During public mourning events in Iran, some attendees reportedly carried signs threatening Trump and calling for retaliation.
Trump has previously said he has already given instructions for how the United States should respond if an assassination attempt against him were ever successful.
In an interview with the New York Post, the president said:
“If anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before.”
U.S. officials have not publicly confirmed the intelligence cited in the reports, and Iran has not publicly responded to the latest allegations.
