Suspected Israel, but feared Iran: How the decision was made to divert Donald Trump | Report
New details shed light on the Iranian threat that led last month to an unusual diversion operation for Donald Trump. Israel warned of a potential missile attack on Air Force One, but US and Turkish authorities found no concrete evidence that the suspects possessed the necessary weaponry.
After it was revealed last month that Israel had passed intelligence to the US regarding an Iranian threat against Donald Trump, and that American officials doubted its reliability, the details behind the dramatic decision to conduct a diversion operation are now emerging. According to reports published Thursday, Israeli intelligence indicated that Iranian proxies operating in Turkey might attempt to launch a missile at Air Force One while Donald Trump was on board.
The scenario was described as extreme but theoretically possible: an operative could bypass the security perimeter around the NATO summit, position themselves within 800 meters of the airport, and use a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) to target the presidential plane.
Although American authorities found no evidence that the suspects possessed a missile or launch system, and Turkish officials stated they found no proof of a threat, the Secret Service decided there was no room for error. Amid an active war with Iran and with limited time for verification, security personnel concluded that the scenario could not be ignored.
Doubts and Motives
Some American officials believed the alleged plot was implausible. Furthermore, concerns arose within the administration regarding Israel's motives. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, some officials questioned whether Israel was attempting to influence Donald Trump’s decision-making to push for an escalation of the war with Iran. Israel rejected these suspicions, clarifying that intelligence sharing stems from a close security partnership rather than a hidden agenda.
The US collected its own intelligence, which also failed to provide definitive proof. However, the combination of the Israeli warning, the tense confrontation with Iran, and the fact that Donald Trump was staying in a country bordering a war zone left "zero margin for error."
The Operation
The Secret Service implemented a plan to mislead anyone tracking the president. Donald Trump boarded the plane presented as Air Force One in front of cameras. However, he was secretly transferred via a catering truck to an alternative military aircraft, which then departed Turkey.
Senior officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, remained on the decoy plane, while Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth accompanied Donald Trump on the secret flight. This separation was maintained to ensure continuity of government. The White House did not intend to reveal the operation, but after it was exposed by the Washington Post, it sparked a public debate regarding the security of the US President while abroad.
