President Donald Trump is once again embroiled in scandal and a top media topic. This scandal, according to Iranian state television, stems from his fear of Iran's military power, to the extent that he had to secretly switch planes when leaving Turkey last month. The report, issued today, added that the incident would become a "source of shame" for the US leader.
However, Iranian officials have not yet commented on the suspicion that they intended to target Air Force One or President Trump in July.
US media reported in recent days that the Secret Service received a warning that the plane carrying the US President could be attacked by shoulder-fired missiles as he departed the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. The New York Times, citing informed sources, stated that US officials were concerned Iran knew Trump's exact whereabouts in Ankara, even the specific floor of his hotel.
US security forces assessed the warning as credible and the risk as imminent, deciding to activate a plan to conceal the leader's itinerary.
On 8/7, after President Trump boarded the VC-25A aircraft, Secret Service agents escorted him and a small group of close officials onto a catering truck and moved them to a C-32A plane parked nearby to depart Turkey.
The VC-25A, carrying White House officials, security and support staff, and reporters, took off shortly after to create a diversion and as a precaution against an Iranian attack.
The VC-25A used the call sign "SAM 33", an abbreviation for "special air mission", as if the US President were on board. Throughout the journey, accompanying press pool members were asked to close all windows.
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The VC-25A aircraft parked at the airport in Ankara, Turkey, on 8/7. *Photo: Reuters* |
The C-32A carrying Trump landed in the UK around 10:20 PM on 8/7, with the VC-25A arriving 9 minutes later. About half an hour after that, President Trump appeared before television cameras, descending the steps of the VC-25A as if nothing had happened.
The US leader then transferred to a VC-25B aircraft for his return to Washington. He spoke with reporters for about 15 minutes, emphasizing the threat from Iran but not mentioning the diversion operation in Turkey.
President Trump confirmed on 11/8 that he had switched planes after being requested by the US Secret Service and military. However, he suggested that the aircraft he was originally on faced a higher risk. He added that he was not provided with many details about why the operation was deployed, asserting that he was not afraid of the risk of attack.
Thanh Danh (According to Reuters)
