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.”
Woman gives birth midflight as air traffic controller suggests fitting name for baby
Murder suspect on ICE hold accused of luring teen into death trap where victim’s final plea went unheard
Trump Reveals Botched Attempt to Send Guns to the Iranian People: ‘I’m Very Upset’
Angel Dad Calls Out His State’s Dem Senators for Ignoring His Daughter’s Killing by Previously Deported Illegal
WATCH: Oklahoma trans attorney jailed for contempt after epic court meltdown
Trump touts airman rescue mission, boasts Iran could be ‘taken out in 1 night’
Israeli justice minister says government should ignore high court ruling on wartime protests
Trump touts drop in egg prices at White House Easter event
Trump reveals Iran made ‘significant proposal’ after ultimatum, but ‘not good enough’
Watch: Savannah Guthrie Returns to ‘Today’ Show, Pays Tribute to Missing Mother with Outfit
American woman missing after husband says she fell overboard, swept to sea during Bahamas boat trip: police
Power Company Faces Legal Fight For Making Too Much Energy
Newsom’s California rail project now expected to cost $126B, official admits, with still no tracks laid
Israel hits South Pars natural gas field as Trump deadline looms
Children of Illegal Aliens Linked to Attempted Bombing at U.S. Air Force Base
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
Woman gives birth midflight as air traffic controller suggests fitting name for baby
Murder suspect on ICE hold accused of luring teen into death trap where victim’s final plea went unheard
Trump Reveals Botched Attempt to Send Guns to the Iranian People: ‘I’m Very Upset’
Angel Dad Calls Out His State’s Dem Senators for Ignoring His Daughter’s Killing by Previously Deported Illegal
WATCH: Oklahoma trans attorney jailed for contempt after epic court meltdown
Trump touts airman rescue mission, boasts Iran could be ‘taken out in 1 night’
Israeli justice minister says government should ignore high court ruling on wartime protests
Trump touts drop in egg prices at White House Easter event
Trump reveals Iran made ‘significant proposal’ after ultimatum, but ‘not good enough’
Watch: Savannah Guthrie Returns to ‘Today’ Show, Pays Tribute to Missing Mother with Outfit
American woman missing after husband says she fell overboard, swept to sea during Bahamas boat trip: police
Power Company Faces Legal Fight For Making Too Much Energy
Newsom’s California rail project now expected to cost $126B, official admits, with still no tracks laid
Israel hits South Pars natural gas field as Trump deadline looms
Children of Illegal Aliens Linked to Attempted Bombing at U.S. Air Force Base
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.
