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
UN denies working with Hamas-loving Gaza ‘aid’ group funded by American Marxist
NYC man accused of 3 Central Park rapes arrested at Miami Burger King
Multiple dead after vehicle crashes into food stand near North Hollywood Metro station
Mullin vows ‘zero change’ on immigration after Republicans suffer crushing midterm losses
Twice-deported illegal immigrant accused of trying to storm United cockpit, threatening bomb: DHS
Democratic Congresswoman Threatens Military Members ‘Down the Chain’ from Pete Hegseth with Investigations
Anti-Israel agitators swarm Biden in Ireland and hurl object at motorcade
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IRGC operative lands on FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list over alleged plot to kill former Trump advisor
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A New Name Has Risen to the Top of Trump’s White House Press Secretary Shortlist: Report
Incoming Congressman Says Senior Democrats Are Trying to Threaten Him Into Backing Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker
Dem Robert Garcia Explains Rationale Behind Weaponizing Government: ‘Maybe It’s Because I’m Gay’
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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.
