Trump Rarely Rides 'Air Force One' Aircraft, US Media: To Avoid Iranian Assassination Threat

Following the conclusion of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit in Turkey, US President Trump made the rare decision to change his presidential aircraft, drawing attention to aviation security and the threat from Iran.

According to multiple US officials, Trump chose to depart Turkey aboard the older, purpose-built Boeing 747 'Air Force One'—designed with presidential safety in mind—instead of the newly refurbished aircraft gifted by Qatar.

While Trump publicly stated that the aircraft switch was intended to allow US military personnel stationed in the UK to view the new plane first, internal officials indicated that security concerns were the primary factor.

At the time, the US had just conducted airstrikes against Iran, causing bilateral tensions to escalate sharply. During the summit, Trump repeatedly mentioned the possibility of facing assassination threats from Iran, even referring to himself as 'number one on the assassination list.' Notably, during the aircraft's ascent from Ankara, journalists on board were instructed to close their window shades for security reasons. Trump later suggested this could have been related to countering threats from Iran, which he described as 'nasty people'.

Security personnel generally feel more confident in the older aircraft, as its safety features were integrated from the outset. In contrast, the Qatar-gifted aircraft—valued at approximately $400 million and dubbed the 'transition jet'—was hastily retrofitted by defense contractor L3Harris in under ten months, raising questions about its defensive capabilities.

Military aviation consultant Richard Aboulafia and aerospace expert Jeremiah Gertler both noted that it is extremely difficult to convert an aircraft into a fully equipped 'flying Oval Office' within a short timeframe and limited budget. Experts suggest the plane may lack essential electronic countermeasures, chaff and flare dispensers, and infrared countermeasures to defend against missile attacks.

Although the US Air Force claims the aircraft is safe and equipped with advanced communication technology, it has acknowledged that certain systems were omitted to streamline the process.

Previously, The Wall Street Journal exclusively reported that Israel had shared intelligence with the US, indicating that Iran was planning a new wave of operations targeting Trump for assassination. According to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, Trump spoke with Netanyahu on the 9th, and both leaders agreed to maintain coordination between their countries.