Following the NATO summit in Turkey last month, then-President Donald Trump was secretly flown out of the country on a military aircraft amid credible threats against him linked to Iran, U.S. officials have disclosed. The operation involved a multi-hour ruse during which reporters traveling with the president were misled about his whereabouts, marking an unusual departure from established presidential travel protocols.

Although Mr. Trump appeared to board the older Air Force One, a Boeing 747-200 model, cameras positioned at the airport captured the president entering the plane, reporters on board were instructed to keep their window shades closed for much of the flight, and the president was not actually on that aircraft. Instead, he was covertly transported via a catering container on the tarmac to a C-32A—a military variant of the Boeing 757—to fly undetected to England. Upon arrival at Mildenhall Air Base, Mr. Trump was shuttled back to the older Air Force One and rejoined the press pool, who were unaware of the switch.

The decision to use this elaborate subterfuge came rapidly after intelligence assessments identified a credible Iranian threat against the president’s aircraft and personal safety. The tension arose amid the heightened hostilities between the United States and Iran following the U.S. killing of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani during Mr. Trump’s first term and ongoing confrontations thereafter.

Former Secret Service agent Donald Mihalek noted that utilizing decoys and deceptive measures to protect presidents in combat or hostile environments is a longstanding practice, designed to ensure the commander in chief’s security even if transparency with the press is compromised. "Their number one job is to keep the president safe," Mihalek said, emphasizing the agency’s protective mandate over public disclosure.

Complicating the situation was the fact that Mr. Trump had arrived in Turkey aboard a newly acquired Air Force One—a 747-8 provided by Qatar. Unlike the older model, the Qatar-donated plane lacked full security features such as antimissile defenses, according to reports, which prompted concerns from officials. At the summit’s conclusion, Mr. Trump opted to leave aboard the older Air Force One, partly for what he described as “old time’s sake,” but officials later revealed he was not actually on that plane until it reached England.

During the subsequent flight from England to Washington on the newer plane, Mr. Trump told reporters he was aware of ongoing threats from Iran but did not specify the nature of the security operation in Turkey. He remarked on the risks he faced as a public figure targeted by adversaries, illustrating the heightened climate of concern around his personal safety.

The intensified threat environment extended into Mr. Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, with his team receiving intelligence of continued Iranian attempts to harm him. This resulted in the occasional use of decoy aircraft and other security measures. The Biden administration, responsible for Secret Service resources, increased protective measures following serious assassination attempts in mid-2024, as well as efforts by Iranian proxies reportedly involving murder-for-hire plots and cyberattacks targeting campaign staff.

The revelation of the covert operation and related security shortcomings sparked internal frustration within the Trump circle. After media reports detailed the inadequate defensive capabilities of the Qatar-donated Air Force One and the secrecy surrounding Mr. Trump’s departure, the Justice Department initially subpoenaed reporters and their families for grand jury testimony. These actions were later rescinded following judicial criticism.

Throughout these developments, Mr. Trump has expressed anger about leaks and government disclosures that contradict his public statements, particularly concerning U.S. policy and actions related to Iran. The episode underscores the ongoing challenges faced by officials balancing presidential security with public transparency in an era marked by heightened geopolitical tensions.