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.”
Federal agents conduct predawn search of Ilhan Omar’s home in Washington
Democrats see new chances to flip red states — but a $400M GOP spending advantage could derail their plans
SC Dem Senate candidate claims she will stand up to her party as Graham ties her to ‘socialist Democrats’
Pennsylvania gunman who killed 8 was grandfather who seemed normal, victim relatives say
Immigration enforcement officials search Ilhan Omar’s home in pre-dawn raid
Trump’s backyard is quietly transforming into ‘Silicon Valley South’ as wealthy Americans flock in
Jim Justice could shake up West Virginia politics with ‘clash of the titans’ 2028 governor run
Suspect in deadly Philadelphia police ambush faces 76 charges, ordered held without bail
Maduro-linked fugitive nabbed over alleged scheme to cash in on Venezuelans’ basic needs
Pregnant mom just 4 days from giving birth among 8 killed in Pennsylvania massacre: reports
Minnesota homecoming shooting suspect out on bond after gunfire sends football fans fleeing
Trump and Rubio weigh firing Kimberly Guilfoyle as misconduct and donor bailout allegations mount
Three men found guilty of murdering Australian brothers and American friend on Mexico surfing trip
Quiet part out loud: Anti-Israel mobs want one state called ‘Palestine,’ erasing Israel
Toddler stabbed in face, suspect previously deemed unfit for trial in attacks on 2 children: report
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
Federal agents conduct predawn search of Ilhan Omar’s home in Washington
Democrats see new chances to flip red states — but a $400M GOP spending advantage could derail their plans
SC Dem Senate candidate claims she will stand up to her party as Graham ties her to ‘socialist Democrats’
Pennsylvania gunman who killed 8 was grandfather who seemed normal, victim relatives say
Immigration enforcement officials search Ilhan Omar’s home in pre-dawn raid
Trump’s backyard is quietly transforming into ‘Silicon Valley South’ as wealthy Americans flock in
Jim Justice could shake up West Virginia politics with ‘clash of the titans’ 2028 governor run
Suspect in deadly Philadelphia police ambush faces 76 charges, ordered held without bail
Maduro-linked fugitive nabbed over alleged scheme to cash in on Venezuelans’ basic needs
Pregnant mom just 4 days from giving birth among 8 killed in Pennsylvania massacre: reports
Minnesota homecoming shooting suspect out on bond after gunfire sends football fans fleeing
Trump and Rubio weigh firing Kimberly Guilfoyle as misconduct and donor bailout allegations mount
Three men found guilty of murdering Australian brothers and American friend on Mexico surfing trip
Quiet part out loud: Anti-Israel mobs want one state called ‘Palestine,’ erasing Israel
Toddler stabbed in face, suspect previously deemed unfit for trial in attacks on 2 children: report
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.
