**Title: Iran’s State Media Criticizes Trump Over Airplane Switch During Turkey Visit**
Iran's state media has taken aim at U.S. President Donald Trump following revelations about a secret aircraft switch during his recent visit to Turkey. The reports suggest that the switch was prompted by credible security threats, highlighting concerns regarding Iran's military capabilities and Trump's perceived vulnerability.
During a segment on state television, a presenter remarked that the incident has become a significant topic in U.S. media, framing it as a scandal rooted in Trump's fear of Iran's power. The presenter stated, “Again, Trump, with his new scandal, has become the top subject in the U.S. media these days. A scandal stemming from fear of Iran’s military power, a power that caused Trump, last month, while returning from Turkey, to secretly switch his plane.” This commentary reflects the ongoing tensions between the two nations, particularly as the U.S. continues its military operations in the region.
The circumstances surrounding the aircraft switch were reportedly due to a credible threat that Air Force One could be targeted by a shoulder-fired missile. This threat emerged on the final day of Trump's visit to Ankara for a NATO summit, prompting the Secret Service to execute an urgent operation to ensure the president's safety. According to sources familiar with the situation, U.S. officials were alarmed to learn that Iranian operatives were aware of Trump's location in Ankara, including the specific floor of his hotel.
In an unusual move, Trump and a small group of aides utilized a catering truck to discreetly transfer from the larger Air Force One to a smaller C-32A jet for their departure from Turkey on July 8. Meanwhile, Air Force One took off separately, carrying senior administration officials, White House staff, and members of the traveling press.
Iran's embassy in South Africa added to the mockery by posting a meme on social media platform X, suggesting that Trump “will be hidden in a trash can before long,” accompanied by an image of him inside a catering box filled with food. This post reflects the embassy's engagement with social media and its use of humor to comment on U.S.-Iran relations.
In the backdrop of these events, Iran has denied previous accusations regarding an alleged plot to assassinate Trump, which were made by the U.S. Justice Department. The charges, which involved an Iranian national linked to the Revolutionary Guards, were firmly rejected by Tehran, emphasizing the ongoing tensions and mistrust between the two nations.
Ali Vaez, deputy program director for the Middle East and North Africa at the International Crisis Group, noted that Iranian hardliners are relishing the perception that the U.S. is fearful of Trump's safety. He stated, “Iranian hardliners, who have been talking about taking revenge for the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader on February 28, as well as some other senior political and military officials in Iran, are basking in the fact that the United States was so afraid and concerned about President Trump’s safety and security.”
The relationship between Iran and the United States remains fraught, with both nations at odds over various geopolitical issues, including efforts to negotiate a permanent resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf. A senior Iranian source indicated that there has been little progress in talks aimed at reviving an interim agreement reached in June.
The incident has drawn parallels to Trump's previous visits to conflict zones, such as his 2018 trip to the Ain al-Assad base in Iraq, where he described the extraordinary security measures taken during his visit. “If you had seen what we had to go through with the darkened plane, with all windows closed, with no lights on whatsoever anywhere. Pitch black. I have never seen anything like it,” Trump recounted to reporters at the time.
As the situation continues to evolve, the mocking tone of Iran's state media underscores the deep-seated animosity and rivalry between the two nations, with both sides remaining vigilant in the face of ongoing tensions.