The US President, Donald Trump, recently switched planes on his way home from the NATO summit in Turkey, sparking confusion and speculation among reporters and observers. It has since emerged that the decision was made due to concerns over the security features of the new aircraft, donated by the Qataris.
According to reports, senior Iranian officials had identified the summit as a prime opportunity to target the US President. The Iranian government has been known to harbor anti-American sentiments and has previously expressed a desire to take out Trump.
The President had declared at the NATO summit that Iran wanted to take out the US leader, stating, 'They [Iran] want to take out the US leader – me. I'm on every list. I'm on every single one of their lists, and so far I guess I've been a little bit lucky, but that maybe doesn't last very long, because that's the way it goes.'
The US had been warned by intelligence agencies that Iran was plotting to assassinate Trump, prompting the Secret Service to take precautions. The decision to switch planes was reportedly made without explanation, with reporters instructed to close window shades during take-off.
The tensions between the US and Iran have been escalating in recent days, with Trump announcing that the US is reinstating a blockade on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. The move has been met with resistance from Iran, which has insisted that it has the right to manage traffic through the strait and potentially charge fees in accordance with an interim peace deal.
The US had previously stated that the strait should remain open to all without tolls, but Trump's announcement has changed the dynamic. Iran has vowed to fight back against any US interference, and the situation remains volatile.
