'Credible threat' from Iran proxies forced Trump to switch planes mid-trip: Report

US President Donald Trump switched from a new Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8 to the older Air Force One before departing Turkey earlier this month, according to reports. The move came after US officials identified what they described as a "credible threat" from Iranian proxy forces targeting the president.The New York Times reported earlier that the threat emerged while Trump was attending the Nato summit in Ankara. He had arrived aboard the newly inducted Boeing 747-8, gifted by Qatar, which does not have the same advanced defensive systems as the legacy Air Force One aircraft.Citing people familiar with the matter, the report claimed that after US officials detected the threat, the US secret service recommended that Trump change aircraft before leaving Turkey. The report said the intelligence indicated that Iranian proxy forces were targeting Trump himself rather than the aircraft. However, the newer Boeing's comparatively limited defensive capabilities made flying on it a greater security risk.CBS News confirmed the report later on Friday, saying the US secret service decided to switch planes after receiving intelligence about "a credible plot to fire a missile at the plane".Trump flew to Ankara aboard the new Boeing 747-8, a $400 million Boeing 747-8 that the US accepted as a gift from the Qatari government last year and spent months retrofitting to prepare for it to carry the president. However, after the summit concluded, the US president flew from Ankara to the United Kingdom in the old Air Force One, before switching back to the newer plane to complete his trip back to the United States.The decision prompted fresh questions about the security capabilities of the new aircraft. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the broadcaster reported that the older Air Force One is equipped with laser technology to blind incoming missiles, along with systems designed to misdirect incoming munitions and other defensive countermeasures. It added that it remains unclear what defensive systems are installed on the newer Qatari-donated jet.Earlier this month, Trump did not disclose the security reason behind the aircraft switch, saying he would use the older Air Force One "for old time's sake". He also told reporters that the new aircraft already "has a lot of capability" but would be "maxed out" over the next month as additional upgrades were completed.Trump has repeatedly referred to alleged Iranian threats against his life in recent months. He has previously said he left standing orders for the US military to destroy Iran "at levels they've never seen before" if Tehran carried out what he described as longstanding threats to assassinate him.The latest revelations also come as Trump weighs further military action against Iran following the collapse of a recent ceasefire. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, Trump said, "We are talking to them. I ​think they're being ​serious. I think ... they are ‌being ⁠by far the most serious that we've seen them, but ​that doesn't ​mean ⁠we get there. We'll see ​what happens." He added, "We're locked and loaded. We're ready to go."Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.