Donald Trump secretly switched aircrafts as he departed a Nato summit in Turkey last month, employing a diversionary tactic in response to a potential Iranian threat, according to U.S. media reports.

This elaborate maneuver was reportedly undertaken after U.S. intelligence detected credible intelligence indicating Iran intended to target the presidential plane with a missile. The White House has not officially confirmed the details of the secret switch.

Reports from the Washington Post, citing officials who spoke to CBS News, suggest that while President Trump appeared on camera boarding the familiar Air Force One, he was subsequently transported via a catering truck to a smaller, more discreet military aircraft, a C-32A. Journalists and some White House staff on the original Air Force One remained unaware of the president's departure.

The clandestine operation occurred shortly after the U.S. renewed military strikes against Iran, following a collapse in negotiations between Washington and Tehran. President Trump had previously stated he was Iran's primary target during the summit held in Ankara.

President Trump had arrived in Turkey aboard a newer Boeing 747-8, a gift from Qatar. However, he had indicated he would depart on the older Air Force One for sentimental reasons. Footage from July 8th showed him boarding the presidential jet at Ankara airport.

According to the Washington Post, he was then secretly moved to a modified Boeing 757, a C-32A often utilized by the Vice President. This transfer was facilitated by a catering truck, positioned to obscure the movement from observers. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly boarded the C-32A separately via external stairs to maintain the appearance of a normal departure.

Journalists and staff aboard the original Air Force One were instructed to keep their window shades down, a measure described as unusual. One pool producer noted that opening a shade briefly led to a swift instruction from the Secret Service to close it. The producer also reported the presence of two catering trucks at both ends of the aircraft upon the press's arrival, and that their own vehicle was positioned too far back to photograph the president's boarding.

While "Air Force One" is the call sign for any aircraft carrying the U.S. president, the C-32A used the designation "Reach 18" during this flight, while the aircraft carrying the journalists continued to use "AF1" to perpetuate the deception. President Trump then traveled to the United Kingdom before heading to the U.S., where he reportedly re-boarded the older Air Force One at RAF Mildenhall. The method of his transfer back to the legacy jet remains unclear. He later transferred to the Qatari-donated jet for his journey to Washington.