00:00Were you aware of any credible threat by Iran against Air Force One?
00:02Well, I have a threat all the time. I'm number one on their list, before you. But if I go,
00:08you go.
00:08A dramatic new report has raised fresh questions surrounding security surrounding U.S. President
00:15Donald Trump during his recent visit to Turkey. According to the New York Times,
00:21Trump switched presidential aircraft after attending the NATO summit in Ankara,
00:26after American intelligence received what officials described as a credible threat
00:31linked to Iranian proxy forces. The report cites unnamed U.S. officials familiar with the
00:38intelligence. The White House has not publicly released details of the alleged threat,
00:43and Iran has not publicly commented on the report. According to the newspaper, President Trump had
00:49arrived in Turkey aboard the newly inducted Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8, which is being
00:57prepared for presidential service. However, after intelligence agencies reportedly warned
01:03of a possible attack, the U.S. Secret Service advised the president to return to the older
01:08Air Force One aircraft for his departure. Officials quoted by the report said the threat
01:14was directed at President Trump and whichever aircraft he was traveling aboard, rather than
01:20specifically targeting the new Boeing jet. At the time, the White House publicly described the
01:25aircraft change as a routine operational decision. President Trump also dismissed speculation over
01:32security concerns, saying he wanted American service members stationed in Britain to have an
01:37opportunity to tour the newer aircraft. But according to the New York Times, officials now acknowledge
01:44that security considerations prompted the last-minute change. The report also renewed attention on the
01:50Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8, which is still undergoing upgrades before becoming the primary presidential
01:58aircraft. Unlike the existing Air Force One fleet, the aircraft reportedly does not yet have the full
02:05range of defensive systems normally installed on presidential transport aircraft. When recently asked about its
02:12anti-missile capabilities, President Trump responded that the aircraft would soon be maxed out after
02:18additional upgrades. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt has insisted the aircraft is perfectly safe for
02:25presidential travel, while confirming another round of enhancements is scheduled later this year. During
02:32that period, President Trump is expected to continue flying aboard the older Air Force One. The newspaper also
02:39reported that the Turkey intelligence was separate from other alleged Israeli intelligence regarding
02:44possible Iranian plots targeting President Trump. According to the report, some U.S. officials reportedly
02:51questioned aspects of the Israeli intelligence, believing it may have been intended to encourage a stronger
02:57American military response against Iran. Those assessments remain unconfirmed. The reported threat emerged amid
03:06heightened tensions following renewed U.S. military strikes against Iranian targets and continued exchanges
03:12between Washington and Tehran. During the NATO summit, President Trump himself acknowledged that he believed he remained a
03:20potential target. Speaking to reporters, he said,
03:23they want to take out the U.S. leader, me. I'm on every list. So far, I guess I've been
03:29a little bit lucky, but that maybe
03:30doesn't last very long. Do you know why they had us close our window blinds? That was not usually.
03:36Well, yeah, because, uh, you're, you know, probably on a dangerous plane, because of the
03:44sleaze bags that we have to deal with. Thinking that Iran was possibly thinking trying to...
03:48Well, I mean, if they asked you to close your windows, probably they didn't ask me to close mine, but
03:52if they did, I would have done it. No, these are sick people. So I could see something like that.
03:58I
03:58didn't, I didn't know they did that, but I could see something. Were you aware of any credible threat
04:02by Iran against her? Well, I have a threat all the time. I'm number one on their list before you.
04:08But if I go, you go. At this stage, there has been no public evidence released confirming the
04:13alleged assassination plot. Nevertheless, the report underscores the extraordinary security measures
04:20surrounding presidential travel during one of the most volatile periods in U.S.-Iran relations.
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