Trump secretly leaves Turkey on military jet after NATO summit

In early August 2026, US President Donald Trump secretly left Turkey on a military aircraft following a NATO summit, reportedly due to security concerns related to Iran. According to reports, Trump used a catering truck to discreetly board the plane, avoiding Air Force One, before taking a separate flight out of the country.

Around the same time, Trump publicly stated that the entire Strait of Hormuz is free of mines and demanded compensation from Iran. Meanwhile, Iran's leadership signaled a hard-line stance toward Trump with new leadership appointments.