US President Donald Trump was secretly flown from Turkey to the UK on a smaller military aircraft last month after an Iranian assassination threat prompted a security operation to conceal his movements, according to a report by The Washington Post.

Trump had attended a NATO summit in Ankara on July 8, 2026, and publicly appeared to board the older Air Force One before departing for Britain. However, shortly after boarding, he was reportedly transferred to a smaller Air Force C-32A aircraft.

According to the report, the transfer was carried out using an airport catering truck, allowing Trump to leave the presidential aircraft without being seen by journalists or some White House staff who believed he remained aboard Air Force One.

The older Air Force One subsequently flew to RAF Mildenhall in Britain with members of the White House press corps and staff aboard, effectively serving as a decoy.

The operation was reportedly triggered by a credible Iranian threat against Trump or his aircraft. The threat came amid escalating military tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Trump had arrived in Turkey aboard a newer Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar and had previously announced that he would return from Turkey on the older presidential aircraft. He said the newer jet would be flown ahead so US service members in Britain could view it.

The White House did not directly confirm details of the secret aircraft switch. Communications Director Steven Cheung defended the security arrangements, saying the president's aircraft had high-level security protocols and that the administration used available measures to address threats against him.

Trump's smaller aircraft reportedly arrived at Mildenhall shortly before the older Air Force One. It remains unclear exactly how he was transferred back to the older aircraft before appearing before cameras and later boarding the newer presidential jet for his journey to Washington.

The report has drawn attention to the security risks surrounding presidential travel as tensions between the US and Iran continue.