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.”
Far Worse Than Previously Reported: Big Tech’s Ticking Time Bomb Is a Massive Financial Exposure Tied to AI
Second Amendment Declared ‘Extinct’ in SCOTUS Brief Over Gun Ban
Democratic senator-elect calls Trump ‘unserious fool’ while defending combative political style
GOP eyes Senate comeback after Democratic bloodbath, but another political nightmare could await
Democrats set sights on Elon Musk probe after midterm wins, but Pritzker draws a surprising line
DeSantis blasts Washington Post over report he’s preparing 2028 presidential bid
Denver man found dead at bottom of national park canyon beneath steep drop-offs
US offers $20 million reward for information on Iran’s nuclear program
Trump highlights NASA nuclear-powered Mars spacecraft mission planned for 2028
SPLC was once suspected of more crimes than current charges show
Armed Illegal, Freed in Biden Era, Detained at White House
Meghan Markle’s Father Could Die in Prison If He’s Convicted on Child Porn Charges
NYC Woman Literally Vomits After Learning Slap on Wrist Given to Man Who Stabbed Her 22 Times in Front of Her Daughter, 3
Three States Carry Out Executions on the Same Day in Rare Occurrence
Newly Elected Congressional Democrat Due to Face Felony Charge in Court
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
Far Worse Than Previously Reported: Big Tech’s Ticking Time Bomb Is a Massive Financial Exposure Tied to AI
Second Amendment Declared ‘Extinct’ in SCOTUS Brief Over Gun Ban
Democratic senator-elect calls Trump ‘unserious fool’ while defending combative political style
GOP eyes Senate comeback after Democratic bloodbath, but another political nightmare could await
Democrats set sights on Elon Musk probe after midterm wins, but Pritzker draws a surprising line
DeSantis blasts Washington Post over report he’s preparing 2028 presidential bid
Denver man found dead at bottom of national park canyon beneath steep drop-offs
US offers $20 million reward for information on Iran’s nuclear program
Trump highlights NASA nuclear-powered Mars spacecraft mission planned for 2028
SPLC was once suspected of more crimes than current charges show
Armed Illegal, Freed in Biden Era, Detained at White House
Meghan Markle’s Father Could Die in Prison If He’s Convicted on Child Porn Charges
NYC Woman Literally Vomits After Learning Slap on Wrist Given to Man Who Stabbed Her 22 Times in Front of Her Daughter, 3
Three States Carry Out Executions on the Same Day in Rare Occurrence
Newly Elected Congressional Democrat Due to Face Felony Charge in Court
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.
