Trump's secret exit with support from Israeli intelligence

According to the „Wall Street Journal,” citing information obtained from a US official, Israeli intelligence reported that Iran planned to shoot down the aircraft carrying the president using man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS). Before the American president’s departure from Ankara, he was stealthily moved from Air Force One and transported by a catering truck to a military aircraft. Despite the existing threat, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and many other high-ranking officials remained on board the presidential plane.

The WSJ had already reported in July on the foiling of a potential assassination attempt on President Trump by Israeli intelligence; however, no details were provided at the time. Two American officials claimed then that it concerned conversations between Iranian officials regarding a potential assassination, rather than a specific action at a given place and time. Donald Trump, on the other hand, denied the newspaper’s reports at the time, claiming that he has long been the number one target on the Iranian list.

The secret transport of the president to another aircraft suggests that the danger of an assassination attempt might have actually existed; however, ultimately, Air Force One, which carried other US officials, was not shot down. Iran has repeatedly threatened to assassinate Donald Trump, both during the current conflict and previously. These threats were clearly voiced during the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a form of retaliation for the death of the Supreme Leader in an American attack.