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
US signals readiness to escort tankers through Hormuz as traffic thins but no mission launched
FLASHBACK: Dem Senate nominee called illegal aliens ‘constituents,’ gave advice on evading ICE
Hegseth Honors Americans Killed in Action as Operation Epic Fury Enters Second Week: ‘Their Deaths Will Not Be in Vain’
Tourist’s bird-brained Vegas stunt with flamingo lands him behind bars on felony charges
BREAKING: GOP Rep. Nancy Mace Plans to Investigate Outgoing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem: ‘We Need to Hold Our Own Accountable’
Fox News True Crime Newsletter: Nancy Guthrie’s clues, Luigi Mangione’s evidence, Idaho murders tarot cards
Democrats pressure Mike Johnson to keep House in Washington over ‘rapidly developing’ Iran operation
Newsom declares ‘Trump is in retreat’ after Noem ouster, demands Miller be ‘next’
Pentagon Declares Major AI Company a Threat to Military Supply Chain
Trump Lays Out His Demands to Iranian Leaders, Vows to ‘MIGA’ If They Comply
Farage heads to Mar-a-Lago to reinforce Trump’s opposition to Chagos Islands deal
Khamenei’s secret bunker under Tehran destroyed by Israeli military jet bombardment
53 Dems vote against declaring Iran a state sponsor of terror
Capitol Hill Dems hail Trump’s DHS ouster of Noem after heated Senate hearing
FBI Agents Search New Home in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance
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.
