US President Donald Trump was reportedly secretly flown from Turkey to the United Kingdom on a smaller military aircraft last month following an alleged assassination threat linked to Iran, while the White House publicly maintained that he was travelling aboard Air Force One.

According to reports by The Washington Post and The New York Times on Tuesday, the security operation took place during Trump’s visit to Ankara for a NATO summit.

Trump initially boarded the former Air Force One in full view of television cameras. However, he was reportedly transferred minutes later to a C-32A military aircraft using an airport catering truck, which normally transports meals and supplies to aircraft.

A US official told The Washington Post that the operation was prompted by a credible threat involving Iran.

The New York Times reported that Trump’s actual location was concealed not only from journalists but also from some White House staff members travelling with him.

The White House had previously stated that Trump departed Turkey on July 8 aboard the former Air Force One. Trump had also announced on Truth Social that he would use the older Boeing 747 rather than the newer Boeing 747-8 aircraft donated by Qatar.

The Qatar-donated aircraft had made its first international trip during the NATO journey, attracting significant attention over its security modifications and upgrades.

Before leaving Ankara, Trump said he would travel aboard the older blue-and-white Air Force One “for old time’s sake” to RAF Mildenhall in Britain. The newer aircraft was also scheduled to stop there so US military personnel could tour it.

However, according to The Washington Post, Trump was actually transported aboard the third aircraft before being transferred back to the older Air Force One shortly before departure.

The reported operation involved Trump entering the presidential aircraft through a different entrance before later appearing publicly on its stairs, creating the impression that he had travelled aboard the plane throughout the journey.

Members of the travelling press pool were reportedly instructed to keep the window shades in their section closed during the flight. Some White House officials also reportedly believed Trump was on board the aircraft.

When reporters later asked Trump why they had been instructed to keep the shades closed, he joked that they were “probably on a dangerous flight.”

“But if I go, you go. Right?” Trump added.

The C-32A carrying Trump reportedly arrived in Britain at about 10:20 p.m. local time, while the older Air Force One and travelling media arrived separately a few minutes later.

Trump emerged from the older Air Force One at approximately 10:56 p.m., reportedly gave reporters a peace sign and greeted US service members before proceeding towards the Qatar-donated aircraft.

The reported manoeuvre has been compared with a similar operation involving former US President Bill Clinton in 2000, when an unmarked executive aircraft was used to secretly transport him into Pakistan while Air Force One served as a decoy.

Responding to questions about the revelation, White House Communications Director Steve Cheung said the Qatar-donated aircraft had been equipped with high-level security protocols to protect Trump and his staff.

“As the president has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal to address those threats,” Cheung said.