Washington: US President Donald Trump’s aircraft faced a potential missile attack while returning from a NATO summit in Turkiye, according to a report by The New York Times.
Citing US officials familiar with the matter, The New York Times reported that American intelligence agencies had received information from multiple sources about a possible attack, raising concerns that Trump’s Air Force One could be targeted with a surface to air missile.
According to US officials, an individual carrying a shoulder fired missile was also reportedly spotted near the NATO summit, further increasing security concerns surrounding the president.
The report said US officials believed Iran was also aware of the building in Ankara where Trump was staying and even knew which floor of the building he was on.
Amid concerns over a possible Iranian attack, Trump was secretly transferred to a military aircraft as a security precaution.
According to the US newspaper, Israel had also provided the Trump administration with intelligence regarding a possible Iranian attack.
Israel reportedly warned US officials that Air Force One could potentially be targeted with a shoulder fired missile.
However, The New York Times reported that contrary to the intelligence warnings, no missile was ultimately fired. The credibility of the intelligence regarding the potential attack also remains unclear.
