The New York Times reported Thursday evening that President Donald Trump ordered air and naval strikes against Iranian targets in response to the shooting down of a U.S. Navy drone earlier that day, but canceled them “abruptly.”
The Times reported:
President Trump approved military strikes against Iran in retaliation for downing an American surveillance drone, but pulled back from launching them on Thursday night after a day of escalating tensions.
…
The operation was underway in its early stages when it was called off, a senior administration official said. Planes were in the air and ships were in position, but no missiles had been fired when word came to stand down, the official said.
…
It was not clear whether Mr. Trump simply changed his mind on the strikes or whether the administration altered course because of logistics or strategy. It was also not clear whether the attacks might still go forward.
The Times added a curious detail: “No government officials asked The New York Times to withhold the article.”
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Trump’s critics accused him of “cold feet.” But the fact that the administration did not try to stop the story also suggests it could have been leaked deliberately. Indeed, at least one other reporter claimed he had received similar information:
.@nytimes scooping me again. I was sitting on this information for six hours. Can confirm this reporting. https://t.co/SLgwuKeAO4
— Jim LaPorta (@JimLaPorta) June 21, 2019
STATE OF PLAY: Highly watched Hong race remains too close to call as progressives notch key primary wins
Ilhan Omar on track for fifth term as Minnesota voters maintain far-left streak
4-year-old dies after suffering electrical shock from clothes dryer inside Kansas home
Trump’s ‘firewall’ against socialism in battleground state punches ticket to election
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Watch: Rules Confusion Leads to 16-Minute Delay in MLB Game as Red Sox Accidentally Score a Run
Fauci’s Pardon Neutralized? Florida Issues Subpoena, Begins Investigation Into Self-Dealing, Which Fauci’s Pardon Does Not Cover
Watch: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger Drowned Out by Boos and Jeers When She Tries to Speak at Rural Event
Trump looms over blue state primary as progressive gov faces far-left challenge
Darline Graham Nordone, Ralph Norman advance to runoff in Senate race to replace Lindsey Graham
Georgia teacher, father hailed as hero after dying to save girl from Myrtle Beach rip current
Watch: Trump’s NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya Unloads on Fauci Over Texts Showing He Thought One Thing, But Said Another to American Mothers
Zuckerberg Superyacht Accused of Ignoring Vessel’s Call for Help – Alaskan Cruise Captain Comes to the Rescue
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Trump tweeted Thursday morning that “Iran made a very big mistake!”, but later suggested that the “mistake” may have simply been an accident. In the double meaning of the word “mistake,” he preserved both the threat of retaliation and the possibility of a diplomatic solution.
Regardless, Iran will know how close it was to being attacked, and still is.
Story cited here.
