US President Donald Trump was secretly flown from Turkey to Britain aboard a smaller military aircraft last month following an alleged Iranian assassination threat, while the White House publicly maintained that he was travelling on Air Force One, The Washington Post and The New York Times reported on Tuesday.

The reported security operation took place during Trump’s visit to Ankara for a NATO summit. According to The Washington Post, Trump initially boarded the former Air Force One in front of television cameras before being transferred to another aircraft using an airport catering truck.

A US official told the Post that a credible threat involving Iran prompted the change in travel arrangements. The New York Times also reported that Trump’s actual location was concealed from journalists and some White House staff travelling with him.

The White House had previously said Trump left Turkey on July 8 aboard the older Air Force One. Trump had also said on Truth Social that he would use the aircraft instead of the newer Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar, which had transported him to Turkey.

According to the reports, Trump was instead moved to a C-32A military aircraft before later transferring to the older presidential aircraft shortly before departure. He reportedly boarded Air Force One through a different entrance before appearing publicly on its stairs as though he had remained aboard throughout the journey.

Members of the travelling press pool were reportedly instructed to keep their window shades closed during the flight. Some White House staff were also unaware that Trump was not aboard the presidential aircraft.

When reporters later asked Trump about the instruction, he joked that they were “probably on a dangerous flight,” before adding, “But if I go, you go. Right?”

The C-32A reportedly arrived in Britain at about 10:20 p.m. local time, while the older Air Force One and the travelling press arrived separately several minutes later. Trump emerged from the presidential aircraft at about 10:56 p.m., greeted reporters and US service members, and then walked towards the Qatar-donated aircraft.

The reported operation was similar to a 2000 security manoeuvre involving former President Bill Clinton, who used an unmarked executive aircraft to enter Pakistan while Air Force One served as a decoy.

White House Communications Director Steve Cheung defended the security measures, saying the Qatar-donated aircraft had been equipped with high-level security protocols. “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.