ANKARA — President Donald Trump changed his travel plans on Wednesday, opting not to board the new Air Force One during his departure from Turkey, amid rising tensions involving Iran. Instead, he left after the annual NATO summit on the older Air Force One model, which he had recently set aside in favor of the newer, more costly aircraft.

The replacement jet, valued at approximately $400 million and donated by Qatar, has been described by Trump as a “palace on wings.” However, his sudden decision to forgo the new plane fueled speculation that security concerns related to Iranian threats may have influenced the change.

Trump addressed the issue during a press conference, acknowledging Iran’s hostile intentions toward him. “I’m number one on the kill list for Iran. They’re lovely people,” he told a reporter when asked if security factors motivated the switch. Earlier on Wednesday, he also remarked, “They want to take out the US leader, me . . . And so far, I guess I’ve been a little bit lucky. But that maybe doesn’t last very long.”

Despite these statements, Trump maintained that the change in aircraft was to allow U.S. troops stationed in England to view the upgraded plane. Replying to questions about why the new Air Force One was not used for his return journey, he said it was en route to European bases where it would be showcased before the president traveled home by standard means.

The decision drew attention against the backdrop of a renewed conflict that involved Iran, raising concerns about potential threats to the president’s security during international travel. Trump declined to explicitly confirm that the change was due to such concerns, instead emphasizing the logistical justification tied to the plane’s deployment.

This episode marks a notable shift from the president’s earlier enthusiastic promotion of the new Air Force One and reflects emerging complexities in his administration’s handling of threats linked to Iran amid escalating regional tensions.