Iranian state media has mocked US President Donald Trump after reports revealed that his security team secretly moved him from Air Force One to a smaller government aircraft during his visit to Ankara. Iranian commentators portrayed the operation as evidence of heightened US concerns over Iran's military capabilities amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran.
A person briefed on the matter said the Secret Service received a credible and imminent threat that Air Force One could be targeted by a shoulder-fired missile. The threat emerged during Trump's visit to Ankara for the NATO summit, prompting officials to conceal the president's movements and arrange an alternative flight. The New York Times also reported that US officials were concerned after learning that Iranian operatives appeared to know where Trump was staying, including the floor of his hotel.
According to reports cited by US media, Trump and a small group of aides used a catering truck to move from the presidential aircraft to a smaller, less recognisable C-32A jet on July 8. Air Force One subsequently departed separately with senior administration officials, White House staff and members of the travelling press corps. The Washington Post was the first to report details of the unusual aircraft-switch operation.
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Iranian state media seized on the incident, describing it as an embarrassment for Trump. Iran's embassy in South Africa also posted a meme on X suggesting Trump would eventually be "hidden in a trash can", alongside an image depicting him inside a catering box. The embassy's account is listed on Iran's official website and is known for sharing satirical material that is frequently reported by Iranian state media.
The episode comes against the backdrop of longstanding tensions between Iran and the United States, including previous allegations of plots against Trump. In 2024, the US Justice Department charged an Iranian man over an alleged assassination plot linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, accusations Tehran denied. Iranian analyst Alireza Majidi also recalled Trump's 2018 visit to Iraq, when the former US president described extensive security precautions surrounding his trip to the Ain al-Asad airbase.
Relations between Tehran and Washington remain tense as both sides face difficulties in efforts to reach a longer-term agreement concerning the conflict in the Gulf. Iranian officials and commentators have portrayed the reported aircraft switch as a sign of US anxiety, while American officials have focused on protecting the president amid continuing security threats. Tehran has not officially commented on the reported aircraft-switch operation.
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