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
Former President Bill Clinton deposed in Epstein probe in potential first for Congress
Over 50 arrested as anti-ICE protesters allegedly hurl rocks at Minneapolis officers during demonstration
‘Road rage incident’ turns deadly as Virginia highway stabbing leaves 2 people dead; dog also killed
Parents Get Enormous Payout After School Forces Kids to Read LGBT Books
House Republicans push Johnson to go to war with Senate over SAVE Act
CNN Blames Trump as Looming Mega Sale Has Staffers ‘Freaking Out’
CNN Announces ‘Special Project’ Against ‘Christian Nationalism’
Mike Tyson Joins Forces With RFK Jr. to Battle Processed Foods
Trump’s Iran strike rocks Texas Senate race as Dems demand ‘war powers,’ GOP applauds president
Trump pledges to ‘avenge’ fallen US service members as tensions with Iran intensify
Texas bar shooting suspect wore ‘Property of Allah’ clothing with Iranian flag
Three US Service Members Killed, Five Seriously Wounded During Operation Epic Fury Against Iran
Burger King Is Altering Its Flagship Burger for the First Time in Nearly 10 Years
Typical: Virginia Democrats Are Addressing Affordability Issues by Nearly Tripling Their Own Pay
Deadly Austin shooting that killed 3 may be ‘act of terrorism,’ FBI says
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.
