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
‘Moderate’ Dem gubernatorial candidate embraced DEI budget tool, Green New Deal-style policies
Trump scores Supreme Court win on mail-in voting restrictions before midterms
San Francisco 49ers Owner Arrested at Trailer Park in East Palestine, Ohio
Oklahoma-based Southwest Airlines flight attendant found dead in Hawaii, police investigating
UK gives missile blueprints to Ukraine as relations with Russia collapse
Manhunt for Massachusetts woman ends with grim discovery week after police officer husband found dead at home
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Trump takes children on tour of helipad and ballroom construction sites
Trump touts endorsement power ahead of vital primary competitions
Clarence Thomas scorches racial litmus tests policing thought: ‘Stay Black and die’
El-Sayed distances himself from Hasan Piker after disturbing remarks about Jewish Americans
Iranian State Media Airs Bizarre Video Threatening Barron Trump’s Life, Offers $10 Million Bounty
Caitlin Clark Has Career Game as Transgender Controversy Erupts On-Court
Jeffries’ reported meeting with Kushner about possible Trump cooperation draws left-wing backlash
Iran puts out propaganda video tracking Barron Trump’s location, offering $10 million for his assassination
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.
