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.”
Self-Avowed ‘Socialist Socialite’ Roasted After Mocking Budget Dress Worn by Hegseth’s Wife
Teacher’s ‘Disgusting’ Comment About White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting Gets Him Placed on Leave
DHS taunts media for reporting about ‘Green Bay man’ illegal immigrant charged in vicious machete attack
Ghost in the gallery: George Washington looks on as King Charles addresses Congress
Dem and GOP lawmakers trade blame over rhetoric after WHCD shooting: ‘It is disgusting’
Dem plot to limit Trump war powers on Cuba fails as GOP falls in line with military action abroad
Five key themes of King Charles III’s address to Congress
Starmer escapes inquiry on Mandelson vetting by a Parliament vote
FBI brings alleged China-linked hacker to US in rare extradition as Patel defends Italy trip
Tim Walz Shamed After Trying to Take Credit for Federal Raids on Somali-Owned Minnesota Businesses
ABC Not Firing Jimmy Kimmel After Melania ‘Widow’ Comments Feels Like Network Flipping Off Millions
Influencer’s body returns home after safari getaway as missing ring and fiancé questions cloud case: report
Melania Trump, Queen Camilla team up at White House youth event spotlighting US-UK bond
Body camera video shows police officer allegedly kidnapped by armed robbery suspect in roadside showdown
WATCH: Ilhan Omar roasted for brutal resurfaced video about ‘World War Eleven’
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
Self-Avowed ‘Socialist Socialite’ Roasted After Mocking Budget Dress Worn by Hegseth’s Wife
Teacher’s ‘Disgusting’ Comment About White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting Gets Him Placed on Leave
DHS taunts media for reporting about ‘Green Bay man’ illegal immigrant charged in vicious machete attack
Ghost in the gallery: George Washington looks on as King Charles addresses Congress
Dem and GOP lawmakers trade blame over rhetoric after WHCD shooting: ‘It is disgusting’
Dem plot to limit Trump war powers on Cuba fails as GOP falls in line with military action abroad
Five key themes of King Charles III’s address to Congress
Starmer escapes inquiry on Mandelson vetting by a Parliament vote
FBI brings alleged China-linked hacker to US in rare extradition as Patel defends Italy trip
Tim Walz Shamed After Trying to Take Credit for Federal Raids on Somali-Owned Minnesota Businesses
ABC Not Firing Jimmy Kimmel After Melania ‘Widow’ Comments Feels Like Network Flipping Off Millions
Influencer’s body returns home after safari getaway as missing ring and fiancé questions cloud case: report
Melania Trump, Queen Camilla team up at White House youth event spotlighting US-UK bond
Body camera video shows police officer allegedly kidnapped by armed robbery suspect in roadside showdown
WATCH: Ilhan Omar roasted for brutal resurfaced video about ‘World War Eleven’
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.
