Israeli intel on Iranian assassination plot spurred decision to sneak Trump off Air Force One — report

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

A catering truck is visible parked on the opposite side of Air Force One on the tarmac after US President Donald Trump boarded the plane following the NATO summit at Ankara International Airport in Ankara, Turkey, July 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
A catering truck is visible parked on the opposite side of Air Force One on the tarmac after US President Donald Trump boarded the plane following the NATO summit at Ankara International Airport in Ankara, Turkey, July 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Israel told the United States about the Iranian assassination threat that caused the US Secret Service to take President Donald Trump off Air Force One and transfer him in a catering truck to a military plane as he prepared to fly out of Turkey last month, The Wall Street Journal reports, citing an unnamed US official.

Israeli intelligence indicated that Iran had been plotting to use shoulder-to-air missiles to take down Trump’s plane, according to the report.

Senior Trump aides, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, remained on the plane despite the threat, says the official.

Last month, the WSJ reported that Israeli intelligence had indicated a new plot was in development to assassinate the US president, but did not provide details.

Two US officials told Channel 12 news at the time that the information related to general dialogue between Iranian officials on potentially assassinating the US president, rather than a specific plot.

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