Donald Trump switched planes on his way home from the NATO summit in Turkey after the United States was warned that Iran had been plotting to assassinate the US President during his visit to Ankara, according to multiple reports.
Security concerns prompted plane change
According to Israeli broadcaster Channel 12, senior Iranian officials viewed last week's major NATO summit as a significant opportunity to kill Trump. The New York Times reported that Trump switched planes on the return journey because the Secret Service was concerned that the new aircraft, donated by Qatar, lacked all the security features of the older plane.
Without explanation, reporters were instructed to close the window shades during take-off. The President himself had declared at the NATO summit: 'They [Iran] want to take out the US leader – me. I’m on every list.' He added, '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.'
Trump announces Strait of Hormuz blockade
The revelation came before Trump insisted that the United States is 'reinstating' a blockade on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and will charge other ships for safe passage. Iran has insisted it controls the critical waterway, as another exchange of fire threatened a return to all-out war. The US had until now said the strait should remain open to all without tolls, as it was before the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.
Exchanges of fire in recent days, sparked by Iranian attacks on ships, had already cast further doubt on the interim peace deal reached last month. 'We are reinstating THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE,' Trump said on social media. 'All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait.'
US to charge 20% cargo fee for safe passage
The president said the US would be 'reimbursed' by 20% of the value of cargo to help cover 'any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security.' Iran asserts it has the right to manage traffic through the strait and potentially charge fees in accordance with the interim peace deal. It has vowed to fight back against any US interference.
