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.”
Hegseth announces joint task force with DOJ to prosecute leaks to journalists ‘with the full force of the law’
Mamdani offers few answers as massive homeless encampment sprouts in west Manhattan
Historic Video: US Deployed First-Ever Sea-Based Drones to Blow Apart Submarine and Ship Facility in Iran
What to know about Darline Graham Nordone, South Carolina’s newest senator
Breaking: Trump to Address the Nation This Week in Prime-Time Comments
Maine ICE shooting victim was not target of arrest warrant, Sen. King’s office says after earlier DHS account
Top economists and AI leaders warn of ‘unprecedented transformation’
Newsom blasted by sheriff in his own backyard over California crime as victims cry foul
AOC Hits Now Low, Demands Israel Release ‘Pediatrician,’ Turns Out He’s a Terrorist Colonel – So Was She Ignorant or a Terror Supporter?
Stephen Miller’s unlikely friendship with Lindsey Graham revealed in heartfelt White House tribute
Breaking: Lindsey Graham’s Sister Appointed to Serve Out the Rest of His Term
Auto Journalist Swarmed by Cops After Flock Cameras Mistakenly Flag Car Theft: We ‘Live in a Surveillance State’
‘The halls of the Senate already feel empty’: Tearful Thune honors Lindsey Graham as sister takes his seat
Dem Rep Tried to Bait Israeli Authorities Into Confrontation with Him – Israeli Ambassador Has One Big Question
Driver accused of DUI survives astonishing 600-foot plunge down California cliff
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
Hegseth announces joint task force with DOJ to prosecute leaks to journalists ‘with the full force of the law’
Mamdani offers few answers as massive homeless encampment sprouts in west Manhattan
Historic Video: US Deployed First-Ever Sea-Based Drones to Blow Apart Submarine and Ship Facility in Iran
What to know about Darline Graham Nordone, South Carolina’s newest senator
Breaking: Trump to Address the Nation This Week in Prime-Time Comments
Maine ICE shooting victim was not target of arrest warrant, Sen. King’s office says after earlier DHS account
Top economists and AI leaders warn of ‘unprecedented transformation’
Newsom blasted by sheriff in his own backyard over California crime as victims cry foul
AOC Hits Now Low, Demands Israel Release ‘Pediatrician,’ Turns Out He’s a Terrorist Colonel – So Was She Ignorant or a Terror Supporter?
Stephen Miller’s unlikely friendship with Lindsey Graham revealed in heartfelt White House tribute
Breaking: Lindsey Graham’s Sister Appointed to Serve Out the Rest of His Term
Auto Journalist Swarmed by Cops After Flock Cameras Mistakenly Flag Car Theft: We ‘Live in a Surveillance State’
‘The halls of the Senate already feel empty’: Tearful Thune honors Lindsey Graham as sister takes his seat
Dem Rep Tried to Bait Israeli Authorities Into Confrontation with Him – Israeli Ambassador Has One Big Question
Driver accused of DUI survives astonishing 600-foot plunge down California cliff
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.
