President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard an older Air Force One jet instead of the newer Boeing 747-8 plane donated by Qatar, U.S. officials told CBS News. The decision followed detection of a credible missile threat from Iran and allied proxy groups targeting the president's aircraft.

The U.S. officials informed CBS News that intelligence revealed a credible plot to fire a missile at the 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 Air Force One, which the U.S. accepted from Qatar last year and retrofitted for presidential use. However, for the flight from Ankara to the United Kingdom, he switched to the older Air Force One jet before returning to the newer plane for the final leg back to the United States.

This swap raised questions about the security of the new plane. CBS News reported that the older plane was used on the Secret Service's recommendation as a precaution amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict. Sources familiar with the matter explained that the older Air Force One jets are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion tactics.

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 potential threats to his safety, including a recent post on Truth Social referencing 1,000 missiles.

Sources