President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard the older Air Force One jet instead of the newer plane donated by Qatar, due to a credible threat from Iran and its 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 president's plane. The New York Times was the first to report on threats from Iranian proxies.

Trump initially flew to Ankara, Turkey, on the newly donated $400 million Boeing 747-8 Air Force One, gifted by the Qatari government and retrofitted for presidential use. However, he switched to the older Air Force One for his flight from Ankara to the United Kingdom, before returning to the U.S. on the newer plane.

This swap raised questions about the security of the new Air Force One. CBS News reported that the decision to use the older plane was made at the suggestion of the Secret Service as a precaution amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict.

Sources familiar with the older Air Force One jets said they are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion systems to misdirect threats.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told CBS News, "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 increase, President Trump has acknowledged potential threats to his safety, including a recent statement on Truth Social referencing 1,000 missiles for immediate use if Iran attempts an assassination.

Sources