Shortly before Air Force One took off from Turkey at the end of last month’s NATO summit, President Trump secretly slipped away from the presidential jet and was whisked to another plane with the help of an airport catering truck, according to a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the matter. The ruse was employed because the U.S. had learned of a threat from Iran and its allied proxies. U.S. intelligence had detected a credible plot to fire a missile at the plane Mr. Trump was on as he left the Turkish capital of Ankara, CBS News reported exclusively. The President had expressed awareness of the risks posed by the U.S.-Iran war, calling himself Iran’s ‘number one target’ during the NATO summit. Brent crude, the international benchmark for the price of oil, was unchanged at $87.72 a barrel, while U.S. benchmark crude also was flat at $82.13 a barrel, after surging 5% on Monday. The price swung between $72 and $102 last month as hopes rose and fell that the United States and Iran could reach an agreement that would allow oil tankers to freely exit the Middle East again to deliver crude worldwide. Following Iran’s one-time declaration of compensation for war damage, President Trump responded with his own demand for compensation Monday. ‘I am likewise demanding compensation from Iran, for all of the people that they have killed and gravely wounded with their roadside bombs and many conflicts,’ Mr. Trump said on his Truth Social platform. The president also said Iran should pay ‘the families of the hundreds of thousands of innocent protestors that Iran has killed over the last 50 years, not to mention the 52,000 that have been killed in the last five months.’ He stated that he had instructed his representatives ‘to put this firmly into any, and all, future negotiations.’ President Trump said he’s instructed his representatives ‘to do this’ – to demand compensation – ‘to this firmly into any, and all, future negotiations.’ The president told reporters Monday that the U.S. controls the Strait of Hormuz, calling the U.S. naval blockade on Iran a ‘steel wall.’ ‘The only one that has control of the Strait of Hormuz right now is the United States Navy. We have a blockade that’s been infallible,’ Mr. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. The president said some ships are transiting through the narrow waterway through which around 20% of the world’s oil supply passed before the war began on February 28. Iran has previously mirrored those claims, insisting it controls the waterway and occasionally attacking ships that attempt the crossing. Mr. Trump added that Iran ‘can make trouble, but they’re broke.’ The situation has escalated significantly, with analysts warning of a potential disruption to global oil markets due to the President’s demands. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global trade, and any disruption could have far-reaching consequences for the world economy. The U.S. Navy maintains a blockade on Iran, which is a significant challenge to international commerce. The incident has drawn condemnation from some international observers, highlighting the growing tensions between the United States and Iran. The economic implications are substantial, with analysts predicting a potential drop in oil prices and increased uncertainty in the global energy market. The U.S. government is closely monitoring the situation, with officials emphasizing the importance of maintaining stability in the region. The President’s actions are viewed as a provocative escalation of the conflict, raising concerns about further instability and potential military action. The White House has declined to comment on the specific details of the President’s demands, stating that they are being handled discreetly. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that the administration is pursuing a range of options, including diplomatic engagement and potential sanctions. The long-term impact on the global economy remains uncertain, but experts believe this event could significantly alter the geopolitical landscape. The 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen, and the subsequent deaths of U.S. sailors, are now being re-examined in the context of this heightened situation.”}” ,
Source: CBS News
