Israeli Intelligence Spurs US to Switch Air Force One Amid Assassination Threat Against Trump

New intelligence from Israel about a possible assassination plot against then-US President Donald Trump led American officials to switch his Air Force One aircraft during his return from the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. The threat, reportedly linked to Iran, prompted security agencies, including the White House military office and national security personnel, to deem the newer, Qatar-donated and upgraded plane insufficiently secure for the flight back to Washington. Trump initially flew on the new plane to Turkey but switched mid-route to the older Air Force One for the journey to Britain, before returning to the newer plane to complete the trip to the US.

While some US officials expressed skepticism about the credibility of the threat, the Israeli ambassador to the US, Mike Herzog, confirmed in a Fox News interview that Israeli intelligence had provided specific information about an Iranian assassination attempt on Trump. The Wall Street Journal and New York Times reported that the intelligence indicated Iran had formulated a new plan to target the president. Some American sources suggested Israel might have shared the intelligence to influence US policy toward Iran, though others cautioned that a single intelligence piece might not fully represent the threat.

Trump denied that security concerns motivated the aircraft change, claiming the new plane was flown to Britain so US troops stationed there could see it. When asked about the Iranian threat, he said he constantly faces threats and considers himself "at the top of their list." The Israeli embassy in Washington responded to criticism by emphasizing that sharing vital intelligence with close allies like the US is standard practice and essential for reliable partnerships, dismissing claims that Israel seeks to drag the US into war.

This episode highlights the complex interplay of intelligence sharing, security protocols for protecting a sitting US president, and the geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The incident occurred in late June 2024, shortly after the NATO summit, and underscores ongoing concerns about Iranian intentions toward US leadership.