International News Opinons

Trump Ordered, Then Canceled Air and Naval Strikes Against Iran

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.”


Platner campaign rocked with damning allegations from another ex-lover as Senate race heats up: report
Catholic bishops consecrate US, White House says Trump and Melania ‘join in prayer’ in ‘unprecedented’ gesture
Ilhan Omar Lashes Out at ‘Horrific’ Jerry Seinfeld When He Said Palestine ‘Doesn’t Exist’ After Knicks Game
Karmelo Anthony’s Father Blames ‘White Attorney’ for His Son’s Murder Conviction
Pima County sheriff says Mexican authorities have not made contact over Nancy Guthrie search tip
That Time Leslie Stahl Claimed Hunter’s Laptop Couldn’t Be ‘Verified’ as ’60 Minutes’ Finally Confronts Its Bias
Trump plans to deport Iranians to violence-plagued central African nation in new deal
Trump Admin Shuts Down Mamdani’s Attempt to Meet with Foreign Leader
Police: Father of Seven Killed on NYC Bus After Confronting Rider Over Loud Phone Conversation
FIRST ON FOX: DOJ sues Spanberger’s Virginia over laws kneecapping federal agents as mask war escalates
New Poll: Majority of Americans Want Every Illegal Immigrant Deported
Bill Cassidy goes out in style
Rubio gets somber at UFC event, says world is so polarized there are few things that ‘bring people together’
Mississippi teen allegedly killed elderly couple in their home before firing on deputies in standoff
Convicted killer Karmelo Anthony claims he is ‘penniless’ in appeal despite major donor-funded legal campaign
See also  Spencer Pratt falls behind Nithya Raman in LA mayoral race after latest vote update

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:


Platner campaign rocked with damning allegations from another ex-lover as Senate race heats up: report
Catholic bishops consecrate US, White House says Trump and Melania ‘join in prayer’ in ‘unprecedented’ gesture
Ilhan Omar Lashes Out at ‘Horrific’ Jerry Seinfeld When He Said Palestine ‘Doesn’t Exist’ After Knicks Game
Karmelo Anthony’s Father Blames ‘White Attorney’ for His Son’s Murder Conviction
Pima County sheriff says Mexican authorities have not made contact over Nancy Guthrie search tip
That Time Leslie Stahl Claimed Hunter’s Laptop Couldn’t Be ‘Verified’ as ’60 Minutes’ Finally Confronts Its Bias
Trump plans to deport Iranians to violence-plagued central African nation in new deal
Trump Admin Shuts Down Mamdani’s Attempt to Meet with Foreign Leader
Police: Father of Seven Killed on NYC Bus After Confronting Rider Over Loud Phone Conversation
FIRST ON FOX: DOJ sues Spanberger’s Virginia over laws kneecapping federal agents as mask war escalates
New Poll: Majority of Americans Want Every Illegal Immigrant Deported
Bill Cassidy goes out in style
Rubio gets somber at UFC event, says world is so polarized there are few things that ‘bring people together’
Mississippi teen allegedly killed elderly couple in their home before firing on deputies in standoff
Convicted killer Karmelo Anthony claims he is ‘penniless’ in appeal despite major donor-funded legal campaign
See also  Spencer Pratt falls behind Nithya Raman in LA mayoral race after latest vote update

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.

Share this article:
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter