US intelligence officials reportedly questioned the credibility of an alleged Iranian assassination threat against President Donald Trump that prompted an extraordinary security operation during his departure from Türkiye last month, according to The Washington Post.
The report said CIA analysts did not consider intelligence provided by Israel sufficiently compelling and communicated their concerns to officials within the Trump administration.
One US official reportedly described the information as “Israeli-derived, not U.S.-generated, and viewed as low confidence,” highlighting disagreements within the US intelligence community over the seriousness of the alleged threat.
The revelation has added a new layer to the unusual security measures taken when Trump departed Ankara following the NATO summit on July 8.
Trump Secretly Switched Aircraft
The Washington Post had previously reported that Trump was secretly transferred from the older Air Force One aircraft to a smaller C-32A military plane before travelling to Britain.
According to the report, the president was moved using an airport catering truck, while journalists and some White House staff were reportedly left with the impression that Trump remained aboard the presidential aircraft.
Trump and a small group of aides subsequently travelled to RAF Mildenhall in England.
The C-32A was reportedly escorted by F-16 fighter jets during the flight, reflecting the heightened security measures surrounding the president’s departure.
The operation came amid concerns about the security protections available for Trump’s departure from Türkiye, including questions surrounding a Boeing 747-8 aircraft gifted to the United States by Qatar.
The unusual transfer remained largely secret until details of the operation emerged through subsequent reporting.
Secret Service Took Threat Seriously
Despite questions from intelligence officials about the reliability of the information, the US Secret Service reportedly concluded that the potential threat was serious enough to justify extraordinary security precautions.
One official told The Washington Post that the Secret Service has faced several security concerns involving Trump and therefore was unwilling to take unnecessary risks.
Trump himself said Tuesday that the decision to use a different aircraft was made by the Secret Service.
The president reportedly indicated that he follows the recommendations of his security detail when such decisions are made.
The White House did not directly address questions concerning the intelligence assessment.
A US official said Trump had faced numerous threats, including threats originating from Iran, and that authorities had implemented security measures to protect him.
The CIA declined to comment on the reported intelligence assessment, while the Israeli Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Questions Over Israeli Intelligence
The reported disagreement has raised broader questions about the intelligence shared by Israel with Washington and the possible motivations behind it.
Some current and former US intelligence officials reportedly believed that the information may have been intended not only to warn American authorities but potentially to influence President Trump’s decision-making regarding the region.
A former official cited by the newspaper said the episode was consistent with a broader pattern in which some officials believe Israeli intelligence can be used both to provide information to US policymakers and to shape presidential decisions.
Israel considers Iran one of its most significant regional security threats, particularly amid continuing tensions between the two countries.
The relationship between Israel, Iran and Türkiye has also added complexity to regional security calculations.
Türkiye has maintained its own diplomatic position in the Middle East while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has developed a close relationship with Trump.
Rubio Reportedly Remained on Air Force One
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was reportedly briefed about both the Israeli intelligence and the Secret Service’s planned security operation.
However, according to a former official cited by The Washington Post, Rubio remained aboard the older Air Force One aircraft rather than transferring to the smaller C-32A.
The detail has raised additional questions about how seriously different officials viewed the alleged assassination threat.
One US official reportedly questioned how significant the threat could have been given the extensive security presence surrounding the NATO summit.
Tens of thousands of Turkish security personnel were deployed during the event, providing another layer of protection for visiting leaders.
Security Operation Under Scrutiny
The reported intelligence disagreement has now placed greater attention on the decision-making process behind Trump’s unusual departure from Türkiye.
While the Secret Service ultimately determined that additional precautions were necessary, intelligence analysts reportedly remained skeptical about the reliability of the information provided by Israel.
The episode demonstrates the difficult decisions security agencies must make when dealing with potential threats against a US president, particularly when intelligence assessments are incomplete or disputed.
It also highlights the complicated relationship between intelligence gathering, presidential security and foreign policy.
For Trump, the incident is another example of the extensive security precautions surrounding his international travel.
The reported disagreement between intelligence analysts and security officials is likely to fuel further questions about what information was available at the time, how credible it was considered and why such extraordinary measures were ultimately taken.
Neither the CIA nor Israeli officials has publicly confirmed the specific details of the intelligence described in the report.
Also read: Trump Says Iran War May End Soon
