Iranian state media has mocked US President Donald Trump after reports revealed that he was secretly moved to a smaller aircraft during his return from
Turkey, portraying the security operation as evidence of Washington’s concerns over Iran’s military capabilities. A presenter on Iranian state television described the incident as a “scandal” driven by “fear of Iran’s military power”, claiming the episode had humiliated the US president. The aircraft switch took place during Trump’s departure from Ankara on July 8, the final day of the NATO summit in Turkey, amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. Why was Trump moved to another aircraft? The secret operation was reportedly triggered by intelligence indicating that the aircraft carrying Trump could face an attack involving a shoulder-fired missile. According to a person briefed on the matter, the Secret Service considered the threat serious enough to move Trump onto a smaller government aircraft in an attempt to conceal his movements. US officials were also reportedly concerned that Iranian operatives knew where Trump was staying in Ankara, including the floor of his hotel, according to a New York Times report. The revelations have since become a major subject of Iranian state media coverage and anti-US messaging. Trump reportedly hidden in catering vehicle In an unusual security operation, Trump and a small group of aides were reportedly moved from the large presidential aircraft using a catering vehicle. He was then transferred to a relatively inconspicuous C-32A government jet for the journey out of Turkey. The original Air Force One aircraft subsequently departed separately with senior administration officials, White House staff and members of the travelling press corps. The operation was designed to prevent potential attackers from knowing which aircraft Trump was actually travelling on. Iran turns aircraft switch into propaganda Iranian officials and state-linked accounts quickly seized on the episode to mock Trump. Iran’s embassy in South Africa posted on X that Trump would “be hidden in a trash can before long”, accompanying the message with a meme depicting the US president inside a catering box. Iranian state media also highlighted the incident as evidence of the perceived reach of Iran’s military capabilities. The episode has added to a broader propaganda campaign in Iran targeting Trump and Israel. Billboards and murals in Tehran have featured hostile depictions of the US president, including images showing him in a coffin or drowning. Tensions remain high between US and Iran The aircraft switch occurred against the backdrop of the ongoing US-Iran conflict and heightened regional tensions. Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has also vowed retaliation following the death of his father and predecessor, who was killed on the first day of the conflict. The details of Trump’s secret departure from Turkey have now become a prominent talking point in Iran, with state media presenting the extraordinary security measures as a sign that Washington takes the threat from Tehran seriously. The Washington Post was the first to report details of the operation involving the switch from the presidential aircraft to the smaller C-32A jet.
