Iran knew Trump's exact Ankara location at NATO Summit as US detected missile threat against Air Force One: NYT report
Washington, DC, August 12
US intelligence agencies intercepted multiple inputs indicating that Iran possessed precise information regarding President Donald Trump's whereabouts in Ankara during the NATO summit last month, that prompted his secretive departure, according to a New York Times report.
Two US officials familiar with the intelligence told NYT that security authorities detected a specific surface-to-air missile threat directed against whichever aircraft was carrying Trump. Additionally, an individual near the NATO summit was reportedly spotted with a shoulder-fired missile, while Iranian operatives were said to be aware of the exact floor of the hotel where Trump was staying.
The threat assessment was deemed severe enough to prompt a complex security deception. Trump publicly boarded the older Air Force One before being secretly transported out of the airport inside a catering container and transferred to a military plane that flew him out of Turkey.
Meanwhile, the original Air Force One departed carrying senior US officials, government staff, journalists, and military personnel, essentially functioning as a decoy. Passengers aboard were reportedly not briefed on the full severity of the threat.
The New York Times reported that the operation may have redirected the risk from Trump onto those who remained aboard the main presidential aircraft. High-ranking officials present on the flight included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and senior White House aides Stephen Miller and Steven Cheung.
Passengers were directed to keep the aircraft's window shades drawn during the July 8 flight from Ankara to Britain. Trump subsequently rejoined Air Force One in secret before stepping out in front of cameras, maintaining the impression that he had been on board throughout the journey.
The unprecedented security protocol has drawn criticism from certain former White House officials, who maintained that individuals on the decoy plane should have been protected or notified. Conversely, defenders of the decision argued that safeguarding the commander-in-chief justified extraordinary measures when facing a credible threat.
The White House did not respond to queries concerning the operation. Trump later stated that he had acted on Secret Service directives and dismissed claims that passengers were placed in heightened danger, arguing that the aircraft he moved to could have been the primary target.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone who follows global security issues, this is unprecedented. The fact that Iran allegedly knew the exact floor of Trump's hotel shows how sophisticated intelligence gathering has become. The 'catering container' escape sounds like something out of a spy novel. But the lack of transparency with the decoy plane passengers is concerning, to say the least.
Honestly, as an Indian citizen watching this from afar, I'm shocked at how casually they risked the lives of those on the decoy plane. Whether it's the US or any other nation, leaders should never treat people as expendable. Also, the fact that passengers weren't even briefed properly is a huge red flag. Accountability matters.
I get that national security sometimes requires unconventional measures, but this feels like they gambled with human lives to keep a president safe. Those journalists and staff members are someone's family too. The Secret Service should have at least informed them of the risk. This whole episode raises serious ethical questions.
This is like a modern-day game of chess played with missiles and decoys. The US did what they had to do, I suppose. But think about it from Iran's perspective — if they really had this intel, they were playing a dangerous game too. It's just sad how international politics has come to this. When will leaders realize diplomacy is better than missiles? 🙏
The irony is glaring — they moved Trump to a military plane to protect him, but what if that plane was the actual target? The NYT report says it all. And the window shades being drawn? That's classic 'hide everything' protocol. I just
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