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
Trump calls Nobel committee’s decision an ‘indelible stain’ on Norway: ‘A disgraceful and embarrassing decision’
Trump rallies New York crowd for Republican Bruce Blakeman’s bid to replace Gov. Kathy Hochul
Multiple College Football Games Rescheduled as Hurricane Isaias Approaches
James Talarico resurfaces after extended absence as his campaign pushes back
Scottish School Rebrands Christmas Cards to ‘Winter Cards’ Citing ‘Inclusivity’ Concerns
Louisiana Doc Arrested for Allegedly Watching, Refusing to Help Drowning Child for at Least 5 Minutes Straight
Graphic: Bloodied TV Star Says Hollywood Is ‘Not Safe’ After He’s Robbed and Beaten
Obama the Slave Driver: Workers at Presidential Library Unionizing as Wages Frozen, Time Off Cut, and Health Care Costs Rise
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin Reveals the Truth About Illegal Alien Shot by ICE in NYC, Points Finger at Mamdani and Hochul
DeSantis presses reluctant Floridians for swift evacuations as Hurricane Isaias strengthens
‘Trans girls need guns’: Terrorism inquiry puts supporter of leftist gun community behind bars
Elon Musk’s Starlink Set to Become a ‘Major Mobile Carrier’ After Unlocking ‘The Last Critical Piece of the Spectrum Puzzle’
Looming Hurricane Forces Trump to Change His Schedule
Texas think tank accuses Houston parent coalition of using ‘socialist’ tactics to push radical agenda
‘SNL’ writer’s missing sister case leads homicide detectives to Joshua Tree months after family’s murder claim
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.
