Israel Warns US of Iranian Missile Threat Against Trump, Prompting Secret Evacuation from Turkey

On July 8, following the NATO summit in Ankara and amid renewed US strikes on Iran, Israel provided critical intelligence to the Trump administration about an imminent Iranian threat. The intelligence indicated that Iran planned to use shoulder-fired missiles to target Air Force One, the US presidential aircraft, while President Donald Trump was in Turkey. In response, US intelligence and security services orchestrated a covert operation to secretly evacuate Trump from Turkey.

Rather than simply altering the flight path or increasing security, the US staged a deception. Trump appeared publicly to board Air Force One as usual, walking the red carpet and waving to the press. However, shortly after entering the plane, he and several aides were discreetly moved to the opposite side of the aircraft, hidden from view by a catering truck attached to the plane. From there, Trump was transferred to a nearby military C-32A aircraft, a modified Boeing 757, which then flew him to the UK.

Meanwhile, Air Force One took off without the president on board, maintaining the illusion that Trump was still aboard. The secrecy was so tight that even some White House staff and journalists on the plane believed Trump was present. Passengers were instructed to keep window shades closed, and the plane’s electronic identification system was only activated upon reaching the Black Sea region. This elaborate ruse aimed to protect the president from the credible missile threat while preserving the appearance of a normal departure.

The operation highlights the high level of cooperation between Israel and the US on intelligence matters and underscores the ongoing tensions with Iran. The secret evacuation was a direct response to the credible threat against the president’s safety during a sensitive diplomatic period.