Dubai, 13 August 2026 (Kamran Raja): Iranian state media has mocked US President Donald Trump following reports that he was secretly moved from Air Force One to a smaller government aircraft during a visit to Türkiye, amid a credible threat that the presidential plane could be targeted by a shoulder-fired missile. A person briefed on the matter said the US Secret Service made the decision after receiving information about a potential missile threat. The incident reportedly occurred on the final day of Trump’s visit to Ankara for the NATO summit, as tensions remain high amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict.Iranian state television described the episode as an embarrassment for Trump and portrayed the aircraft switch as evidence of concerns over Iran’s military capabilities.According to reports, the threat was considered credible and imminent, prompting the Secret Service to take extraordinary measures to conceal the US president’s movements.The New York Times reported that US officials were particularly alarmed after learning that Iranian sources knew where Trump was staying in Ankara, including the exact floor of his hotel.
Iranian authorities have not officially commented on the allegations or the reported aircraft switch, while the White House was not immediately available for comment outside working hours.Meanwhile, billboards and murals across Tehran have continued to target Trump and Israel, displaying hostile imagery, including depictions of Trump in a coffin and drowning in the sea. Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, also pledged vengeance last month following the death of his father and predecessor, who was killed on the first day of the war.The reported security incident highlights the heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and the growing security concerns surrounding senior US officials amid the ongoing conflict.