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.”
White House reporter talks about Trump banning MS Now, Politico, and CNN
It’s Not All Doom and Gloom: AI Added 1 Million US Jobs, 5 for Every 1 Cut
Politicians Forgot Backup Power When They Pushed Clean Power in 13 States: Now Electric Bills Are Skyrocketing
Why Trump zeroed in on Greenland, the world’s largest island, mostly covered in ice — in 3 charts
Trump says new arch will also deploy drones, position snipers and store ammo
You Could See Drones Buzzing All Over the Country: Trump Admin Expands Drone Operations
‘I’m Not Kidding’: FBI Agent Wanted to Charge Elon Musk for Asking Federal Workers What They Did That Week
Ukraine launches over 1,000 drones at Russia on final day of Duma elections
Police officer, woman shot near Notre Dame after football tailgates
El-Sayed’s Senate bid raises new concerns over a powerful privilege that comes with the job
Trump says Triumphal Arch will be converted into ‘top-grade’ military complex
ICE-led Florida operation nets 500 — including illegal aliens accused of murder, child abuse, cartel ties
Several Were Illegal Aliens: DOJ Announces 16 Culprits Caught Illegally Voting in Federal Elections
WATCH: Exclusive look at blue-collar workforce fueling America’s AI boom
DSA Chapter Leader Resigns, Warns ‘Frightening’ and ‘Extreme’ Radicals Are Running the Show
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
White House reporter talks about Trump banning MS Now, Politico, and CNN
It’s Not All Doom and Gloom: AI Added 1 Million US Jobs, 5 for Every 1 Cut
Politicians Forgot Backup Power When They Pushed Clean Power in 13 States: Now Electric Bills Are Skyrocketing
Why Trump zeroed in on Greenland, the world’s largest island, mostly covered in ice — in 3 charts
Trump says new arch will also deploy drones, position snipers and store ammo
You Could See Drones Buzzing All Over the Country: Trump Admin Expands Drone Operations
‘I’m Not Kidding’: FBI Agent Wanted to Charge Elon Musk for Asking Federal Workers What They Did That Week
Ukraine launches over 1,000 drones at Russia on final day of Duma elections
Police officer, woman shot near Notre Dame after football tailgates
El-Sayed’s Senate bid raises new concerns over a powerful privilege that comes with the job
Trump says Triumphal Arch will be converted into ‘top-grade’ military complex
ICE-led Florida operation nets 500 — including illegal aliens accused of murder, child abuse, cartel ties
Several Were Illegal Aliens: DOJ Announces 16 Culprits Caught Illegally Voting in Federal Elections
WATCH: Exclusive look at blue-collar workforce fueling America’s AI boom
DSA Chapter Leader Resigns, Warns ‘Frightening’ and ‘Extreme’ Radicals Are Running the Show
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.
