Secret Operation Evacuates Trump from Turkey Amid Iranian Assassination Threat

Last month, a covert operation was launched to evacuate then-US President Donald Trump from Turkey following an Iranian assassination threat, according to a Washington Post report. After the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump publicly boarded Air Force One as usual, but minutes later he was secretly transferred via a side exit to a smaller plane using an airport food truck as cover. He was then flown back to Washington through England, while the presidential plane served as a decoy. The operation was so secretive that some White House staff believed they were traveling with Trump on the official plane.

The threat originated from intelligence shared by Israel with the United States, revealing Iran's plan to assassinate Trump during his visit to Turkey. Senior sources told Channel 13 News that the intelligence included a quote from an Iranian official stating, "This is our opportunity, there will be no better chance," referring to Trump's trip. This information prompted the unusual and highly secretive evacuation to ensure the president's safety.

Previously, the Wall Street Journal reported on the intelligence sharing between Israel and the US regarding the assassination plot. The White House maintained publicly that Trump was aboard Air Force One throughout the flight, masking the true nature of the operation. This incident highlights the close intelligence cooperation between Israel and the US and the high-level security measures taken to protect the president during international visits.