US Intelligence Doubts Iranian Threat to Trump in Türkiye, Washington Post Reports
DUBAI — US intelligence officials were skeptical of an alleged Iranian assassination threat against President Donald Trump during his trip to Türkiye for the NATO summit, which prompted a secret plan to fly him out of the country in an alternative military aircraft, according to the Washington Post.
The assassination threat was relayed by the Israeli government to the CIA, where analysts did not view the intelligence as compelling and conveyed that skepticism to Trump administration officials, the Post reported, citing current and former US officials. Another official called the reports of threats against Trump’s life “Israeli-derived, not US-generated, and viewed as low confidence.”
The White House made it appear that the president was flying on Air Force One on July 8, but he secretly left that aircraft and was shuttled in an airport catering truck to a third plane, an Air Force C-32A, that flew him and a few key aides to Britain.
“As the President has said, he has faced numerous threats on his life, including ones from Iran, and every measure is taken to ensure his safety,” a US official said in a statement. “The United States Secret Service’s core mission is protecting the President, which they achieved.”
Intelligence officials had raised concerns about a potential attack on the president or his jet, triggering additional precautions and the decision not to use the newly inaugurated aircraft gifted to Trump by Qatar for the first leg of his trip home from Ankara. After a brief visit to the base at Mildenhall, Trump boarded the new Air Force One aircraft to fly the rest of the way to Washington.
During a gaggle with reporters aboard the aircraft, Trump was asked directly if there was any credible threat from Iran. “Well, I have a threat all the time. I’m number one on their list before you,” Trump said. He added to the traveling reporters, “But if I go, you go.”
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