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
Michigan childcare provider collected $1.1M in taxpayer funds despite no visible signs of operating
Clinton judge gives anti-ICE agitator no prison time for assaulting federal officers in Minneapolis
Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair kicks off 16-day festival on National Mall: ‘America come to life’
Trump Media battles Brazilian government in novel censorship case
DOJ threatens to sue California over ‘Glock ban,’ arguing law violates Second Amendment
Former New Jersey middle school teacher indicted on new charges including manufacturing child abuse material
Closed-door outburst turns into victory for Trump’s Iran negotiations
‘America is back’: Trump kicks off Great American State Fair with flyovers, patriotic National Mall speech
Trump administration says federal authorities have arrested more than 10,000 suspected gang members
Body believed to be Kansas City highway shooting suspect found in burned home’s basement by family: police
Pennsylvania mother’s video captures armed intruder holding her toddler as she begs for child’s release
‘High casualties’ feared after two powerful earthquakes rock Venezuela: USGS
Sean Hannity Issues Explanation After Viewers Express Concern About His On-Air Appearance
DHS puts ‘sanctuary politicians’ on notice after alleged park predator was released under Biden
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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.
