Trump said Tuesday that he followed instructions from the Secret Service and military after officials warned him of a security threat during his departure from Ankara following a NATO summit. According to the Associated Press, Trump initially boarded Air Force One but was later taken from the aircraft in an airport catering vehicle and transferred to a smaller military plane. The operation was conducted without informing much of the traveling press corps, which remained aboard Air Force One as it departed Turkey.

The security operation was reportedly linked to concerns involving Iran or Iranian-backed groups, although Trump said he was not given extensive details about the specific threat. The president said the alternative aircraft may itself have faced greater risk, but that he accepted the recommendation of his security and military teams. The incident occurred amid heightened U.S.-Iran tensions and renewed concerns about threats against senior American officials, making presidential travel security a particularly sensitive issue.