Iran Knew Trump's Turkey Location Before Secret Plane Swap, US Intelligence Reveals

US President Donald Trump was secretly transferred to another aircraft during the NATO summit in Turkey following a credible security threat, according to US intelligence. (Photo: Reuters)

Iran reportedly tracked Trump's location in Ankara

US intelligence agencies reportedly discovered that Iranian operatives knew the exact location where US President Donald Trump was staying during last month's NATO summit in Ankara, including the specific floor of the building.

According to The New York Times, intelligence officials believed the threat was credible enough to trigger an emergency security operation. The concern was that an aircraft carrying Trump could be targeted with a surface-to-air missile as he departed Turkey.

US officials also reportedly identified an individual near the summit carrying a shoulder-fired missile, significantly escalating the perceived risk.

Secret Service executed covert aircraft swap

To protect the US President, the Secret Service, military officials and senior members of the administration devised an elaborate deception plan on July 8, the final day of the summit.

Trump was publicly seen boarding an older Air Force One aircraft in front of cameras after telling reporters he wanted to travel on it "for old time's sake."

However, according to US media reports, Trump was secretly removed from the aircraft using an airport catering vehicle before being transferred to a smaller military aircraft parked elsewhere on the airfield.

The public-facing Air Force One later departed as scheduled with White House staff, security personnel and journalists onboard, effectively serving as a decoy.

Journalists were unaware of the operation

One of the most unusual aspects of the operation was that even members of the travelling White House press corps reportedly did not know Trump was no longer on the aircraft they were flying aboard.

The Boeing C-32A carrying Trump reportedly flew to the United Kingdom, where he later rejoined the official presidential aircraft before continuing his journey aboard the Boeing 747-8 that Qatar had donated to the United States for presidential use.

Trump confirms security agencies ordered flight change

Speaking to reporters earlier this week, Trump acknowledged that the Secret Service and military advised him to switch aircraft.

"They wanted me to go on a different flight, different plane," Trump said.

When asked whether the decision was linked to a security threat, Trump replied that there "apparently was" one but added that he did not seek further details.

"I guess there was a threat out there. I didn't really ask too much about it. I get a lot of threats," he said.

Why the operation was unusual

US presidents frequently travel under strict security protocols, including the use of unmarked aircraft, classified itineraries and decoy movements.

Former Presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton all undertook covert overseas trips during periods of heightened security.

However, security experts say the Ankara operation stood out because officials maintained the illusion that Trump remained aboard Air Force One even after he had already been transferred to another aircraft.

The deception reportedly continued until the decoy flight had safely left Turkish airspace.

Iran's long-standing threats against Trump

The reported intelligence comes amid years of Iranian threats directed at Trump following the US drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in January 2020.

US authorities have previously alleged Iranian-linked assassination plots targeting Trump, while the former president has also survived separate assassination attempts unrelated to Iran during the 2024 US presidential campaign.

According to US officials cited in the latest reports, the Ankara intelligence specifically warned of a potential attack while Trump was still in Turkey, prompting the extraordinary security measures.