US President Donald Trump reportedly returned from Türkiye aboard the traditional Air Force One aircraft instead of using a jet gifted by Qatar, following heightened security concerns linked to tensions with Iran. According to US media reports, the decision was made after recommendations from the US Secret Service. The flight came after Trump’s participation in the NATO summit in Ankara.
According to The New York Times, Trump chose to fly on the older Air Force One rather than the aircraft donated by Qatar after the conclusion of the NATO conference. The report said security officials recommended the change as regional tensions with Iran continued to escalate. The move reflected heightened precautions surrounding the president’s travel.
Read more: Trump softens stance on Spain after NATO spending update
When asked about the aircraft change, Trump denied that the decision was directly related to security concerns. He acknowledged that he believes he is among Iran’s top targets but insisted the aircraft selection was unrelated to that assessment. His remarks came amid continued US-Iran tensions.
US media also reported that passengers aboard the older Air Force One were not permitted to raise the window shades during the flight. Additionally, the aircraft reportedly kept its flight tracker turned off until it crossed the Black Sea, a measure often associated with enhanced operational security for high-profile flights.
Read more: Trump Warns Iran of More Severe Consequences After U.S. Strikes
The reported security precautions underscore the heightened alert surrounding US presidential travel during the ongoing regional crisis. Neither the White House nor the Secret Service has publicly commented on the specific security procedures described in the reports.