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.”
Appeals judge seems skeptical of sentence for pro-Trump Colorado clerk Tina Peters
Obama wingman Eric Holder defended Walz’s vetting — then Minnesota’s fraud scandal erupted
Fox News Host Confronts Minneapolis Mayor to His Face on Dangerous ICE Rhetoric: ‘Here’s the Little Secret’
Cynthia Lummis endorses Hageman for Wyoming Senate seat
CDC urged by senators to combat ‘rapid rise’ in youth sports gambling
Trump’s Economy Just Took a Wrecking Ball to Biden’s ‘Mom Has to Work 3 Jobs’ Nightmare
Democrats request over $30 million for pro-LGBT United Nations agency in appropriations bill
Federal court clears California’s new House map boosting Democrats ahead of 2026 midterms
Protesters clash with federal officers after another ICE shooting in Minneapolis
Hochul endorses legislation to allow New Yorkers to sue ICE agents: ‘Power does not justify abuse’
Mamdani housing czar called ‘White, middle-class homeowners’ a ‘huge problem’ during 2021 podcast appearance
Parents erupt into massive brawl during Catholic youth basketball game in Staten Island
ICE agent shoots Venezuelan national in Minneapolis after shovel attack during ambush: DHS
Taxpayer-funded Minnesota charter school shuts down in-person learning amid ICE raids
Top federal Minnesota prosecutors officially terminated after dispute over ICE shooting probe
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
Appeals judge seems skeptical of sentence for pro-Trump Colorado clerk Tina Peters
Obama wingman Eric Holder defended Walz’s vetting — then Minnesota’s fraud scandal erupted
Fox News Host Confronts Minneapolis Mayor to His Face on Dangerous ICE Rhetoric: ‘Here’s the Little Secret’
Cynthia Lummis endorses Hageman for Wyoming Senate seat
CDC urged by senators to combat ‘rapid rise’ in youth sports gambling
Trump’s Economy Just Took a Wrecking Ball to Biden’s ‘Mom Has to Work 3 Jobs’ Nightmare
Democrats request over $30 million for pro-LGBT United Nations agency in appropriations bill
Federal court clears California’s new House map boosting Democrats ahead of 2026 midterms
Protesters clash with federal officers after another ICE shooting in Minneapolis
Hochul endorses legislation to allow New Yorkers to sue ICE agents: ‘Power does not justify abuse’
Mamdani housing czar called ‘White, middle-class homeowners’ a ‘huge problem’ during 2021 podcast appearance
Parents erupt into massive brawl during Catholic youth basketball game in Staten Island
ICE agent shoots Venezuelan national in Minneapolis after shovel attack during ambush: DHS
Taxpayer-funded Minnesota charter school shuts down in-person learning amid ICE raids
Top federal Minnesota prosecutors officially terminated after dispute over ICE shooting probe
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.
