Washington, 12 August (H.S.): US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he was secretly moved to another aircraft while leaving Turkey last month after the Secret Service and military advised him to change planes amid a reported security threat linked to Iran.

The unusual security operation took place on July 8 after Trump attended a NATO summit in Ankara. Trump initially boarded the aircraft used as Air Force One in full view of television cameras. He was then discreetly transported across the airport in a catering truck and transferred to a smaller Air Force C-32A aircraft.

The original presidential aircraft continued its journey with members of the media and some White House staff on board, while Trump travelled separately. The operation was reportedly intended to prevent a potential attacker from identifying the president's actual location and aircraft.

A US official familiar with the matter said a credible threat involving Iran had prompted the security operation. The precise nature of the reported threat has not been publicly disclosed by US authorities.

Trump, speaking to reporters after returning to the United States, said the decision was made by the Secret Service and that he followed its instructions.

Trump said he relies on the Secret Service and military for such security decisions and was willing to use a different aircraft when advised to do so, even though he understood both planes offered a similar level of safety.

When asked about the nature of the threat, Trump said he had not sought extensive details and noted that he receives numerous threats.

Security Operation Kept Secret

The elaborate operation was kept from journalists travelling with the president. Around a dozen reporters were in a separate section of the original presidential aircraft and were reportedly unaware that Trump had been transferred to another plane.

The original aircraft effectively served as a decoy while Trump was moved to the smaller military aircraft. Such security measures are designed to make it harder for potential attackers to determine the president's precise location and travel arrangements.

Trump also said that such threats do not concern him and portrayed the presidency as a position that inevitably attracts serious security risks.

US-Iran Tensions Remain High

Trump's remarks came amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran. He reiterated that he does not trust the Iranian government and claimed that the United States currently has control over the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important global energy corridor through which a substantial portion of the world's oil supplies passes. Any prolonged disruption in the waterway could have significant consequences for international energy markets and global trade.

The disclosure of the secret aircraft switch highlights the heightened security precautions surrounding Trump's movements amid continuing tensions between the United States and Iran.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar