President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard the older Air Force One jet, rather than the newer $400 million Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar, due to a credible threat from Iran and allied proxy groups, U.S. officials told CBS News.

Officials revealed that the U.S. detected a credible plot to fire a missile at the plane. The initial report of threats from Iranian proxies was first published by The New York Times.

Trump flew to Ankara, Turkey, on the newly donated Air Force One, which the U.S. accepted last year and retrofitted for presidential use. However, he flew from Ankara to the United Kingdom on the older Air Force One before switching back to the newer plane to complete his journey to the United States.

This swap raised questions about the security of the president's new plane. CBS News reported that the decision to use the older plane was made at the suggestion of the Secret Service as a precaution amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict.

Sources familiar with the matter told CBS News that the older Air Force One jets are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion systems to misdirect threats.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, "The new Air Force One is perfectly safe for the President's travels, but will receive additional upgrades and enhancements in the fall which will take approximately one month to complete. During that time, the President will fly on the old Air Force One."

As tensions with Iran escalate, President Trump has acknowledged possible threats to his safety, including a recent post on Truth Social referencing 1,000 missiles potentially aimed at him.

Sources