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.”
Trump Officially Designating Madura Cartel as Foreign Terrorist Org – New Classification Would Allow Military Strikes Without War Declaration
Officer Injured After Man ‘Weaponized His Vehicle’ During Charlotte ICE Raids
Father dies trying to save 7-year-old daughter after giant wave sweeps her out to sea at California beach
FBI warns of crooks posing as ICE to terrorize communities – former agent explains red flags
Trump set to host Saudi Arabia’s powerful crown prince at the White House this week
Trump says Mamdani meeting in the works: ‘We’ll work something out’
Report: The ‘Table Is Being Set’ for US Military Strike in Venezuela
Detroit-area Republican raises $250,000 in first week of House campaign
Trump Admin to Root Out Over 500K SNAP Fraudsters By Forcing All Recipients to Reapply
China’s ban on LGBT dating apps highlights CCP campaign to enforce traditional values
Officer injured after suspect rams law enforcement vehicles during Charlotte immigration raids
Trump again blasts ‘wacky’ MTG, saying she is the ‘cause’ of all her problems
Trump calls on House Republicans to vote to release Epstein files: ‘We have nothing to hide’
Trump reveals Maduro ‘would like to talk’ as military options remain on the table for Venezuela
Marco Rubio says Nicolás Maduro’s Cartel de los Soles to be designated a terrorist organization
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
Trump Officially Designating Madura Cartel as Foreign Terrorist Org – New Classification Would Allow Military Strikes Without War Declaration
Officer Injured After Man ‘Weaponized His Vehicle’ During Charlotte ICE Raids
Father dies trying to save 7-year-old daughter after giant wave sweeps her out to sea at California beach
FBI warns of crooks posing as ICE to terrorize communities – former agent explains red flags
Trump set to host Saudi Arabia’s powerful crown prince at the White House this week
Trump says Mamdani meeting in the works: ‘We’ll work something out’
Report: The ‘Table Is Being Set’ for US Military Strike in Venezuela
Detroit-area Republican raises $250,000 in first week of House campaign
Trump Admin to Root Out Over 500K SNAP Fraudsters By Forcing All Recipients to Reapply
China’s ban on LGBT dating apps highlights CCP campaign to enforce traditional values
Officer injured after suspect rams law enforcement vehicles during Charlotte immigration raids
Trump again blasts ‘wacky’ MTG, saying she is the ‘cause’ of all her problems
Trump calls on House Republicans to vote to release Epstein files: ‘We have nothing to hide’
Trump reveals Maduro ‘would like to talk’ as military options remain on the table for Venezuela
Marco Rubio says Nicolás Maduro’s Cartel de los Soles to be designated a terrorist organization
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.
