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US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran is plotting to assassinate him, saying he is “at the top” of Tehran’s alleged target list.
Citing security concerns, Trump said he switched aircraft while returning home from Türkiye, fearing a possible attack on his plane mid-flight.
He also ordered that all window shades on the presidential aircraft remain closed during the journey.
The remarks came as the United States reportedly resumed military strikes after suspending peace efforts with Iran.
Trump had travelled to Türkiye to attend a NATO summit. Speaking to reporters travelling with him, he asked journalists to keep the window shades next to their seats closed.
“You are probably on a dangerous plane. They are very bad people. I have to live under constant threat. I’m at the very top of their assassination list. If something happens to me, the same could happen to you,” Trump said. He later lightened the mood by joking, “Maybe one day you’ll want to change your profession.”
Trump did not use the same aircraft for his return trip that he had used to fly to Türkiye. He had travelled to the country aboard a recently acquired aircraft donated by Qatar. However, the Associated Press reported that he returned part of the journey on the older light-blue presidential aircraft.
The reason for the aircraft change was not immediately clear. According to Bloomberg, the replacement aircraft had been dispatched to RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom before Trump’s departure. As a result, he flew from Ankara to the UK aboard the older presidential aircraft before continuing his journey.
Trump also said any further withdrawal of US troops from Europe would largely depend on future negotiations over Greenland.
Responding to a question from reporters, he said no final decision had been made on reducing the US military presence in Europe.
“A lot is happening with Greenland. If we reach a good agreement there, we’ll make our next decision,” Trump said.
Earlier, upon arriving in Ankara for the NATO summit, Trump reiterated that although Greenland is currently part of Denmark, it should be under US control.
Source: Reuters and Deutsche Welle.
