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
House Democrats Flip, Join Republicans to Overturn Biden-Era Regulation
Trump Issues Stern Mandate, Tells Tech Titans They Will Not Run Up American Utility Bills
Johnson: ‘No boots on the ground’ for Trump’s Greenland acquisition plans amid military speculation
11 House Dems buck party to side with Republicans in reversal of Biden-era shower regulation
College basketball player gunned down on Nashville freeway, police hunting for suspects
‘Dilbert’ Creator and Right-Wing Commentator Scott Adams Dies at Age 68
Iran goes dark as regime unleashes force, cyber tools to crush protests
Afghan illegal immigrant who stabbed sister for being ‘bad Muslim girl’ arrested by ICE agents in New York
Lawmakers warn Philly officials against prosecuting ICE agents: ‘That’s not how America works’
Republican Congressman Forced to Close Office After ‘Credible Threats and Calls for Violence’
Newsom blasts proposed California billionaire tax but keeps door open to national debate
BREAKING: Republican House Oversight Committee to Hold Bill Clinton in Contempt
Watch: Whoopi Goldberg Attempts to Walk Back Vicious Anti-ICE Comment After Thinking It Over During Commercial Break
Trump cheers steady inflation numbers as affordability fight shapes 2026 midterm battle
GOP unveils plan to cut deficit by $1 trillion with second ‘big, beautiful bill’
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.
