Israeli Intelligence Thwarts Iranian Plot to Shoot Down Trump’s Plane at NATO Summit

New details have emerged about a covert rescue operation for U.S. President Donald Trump during last month's NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. According to reports from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal, Israeli intelligence alerted U.S. officials to an imminent Iranian threat to shoot down Air Force One with a surface-to-air missile during takeoff from Ankara. The intelligence, reportedly sourced from Israel's Mossad, revealed that Iran had precise information on Trump's location, including the exact floor of the building where he stayed.

The Iranian surveillance was so detailed that agents identified a man armed with a shoulder-fired missile launcher near the summit venue, making the threat immediate and credible. In response, U.S. security services executed a secret extraction plan. Trump was covertly moved from Air Force One into a catering truck at the airport, which then transported him to a smaller military transport plane (C-32A) that flew him to a British military base under a routine call sign to conceal his presence.

Meanwhile, the original Air Force One took off as scheduled, serving as a decoy with dozens of senior officials and journalists onboard, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bassent, and senior advisors Stephen Miller and Stephen Chong. Passengers were instructed to keep window shades closed throughout the flight to maintain secrecy.

Upon arrival in the UK, Trump was discreetly transferred back to Air Force One and appeared publicly as if he had been on board the entire time. Officially, the plane's visit was explained as a photo opportunity for U.S. troops. The operation remained classified for weeks but sparked sharp criticism in Washington once revealed. Former White House officials condemned the decision to keep senior officials and civilians on a plane targeted by an active missile threat, arguing they should have been informed to decide whether to board. Security experts warned that the incident set a dangerous precedent despite operational secrecy.

The incident highlights the high stakes and complex intelligence cooperation between Israel and the U.S. amid escalating tensions with Iran.