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
Inside the neighborhood living on the edge of America’s tech frontier
Liberal stronghold set to adopt eye-popping minimum wage amid business exodus
Ohio cancer patient sues hospital after surgeon allegedly amputated wrong leg
Utah man released after decades on death row as DNA evidence excludes him from 1985 killing
Repeat offender with lengthy rap sheet accused of gunning down Kentucky trooper during traffic stop
Eric Schmitt defends perjury trap airball at Jack Smith hearing: ‘Not a mistake’
Fox News Hires Former Top Andrew Cuomo Aide Who Helped Run Major Cover-Up
Woman on Death Row for Satanic Murder Says She Feels ‘a Kinship’ with Lindsay Clancy
Boeing lands $20B-plus Navy deal for sixth-generation fighter to deliver ‘absolute air superiority’
Watch: Broncos Stars Team Up to Give ‘All Glory to God’ on Live TV After Wild Comeback Win
‘F— her’: Jasmine Crockett torched by ex-Dem colleague over who she left off endorsement list
Suspect accused of killing Pittsburgh pediatrician sexually assaulted woman hours earlier: police
Watch: NFL Sparks Controversy Again as Mariachi Band Plays Nat’l Anthem on Monday Night Football
Bears QB Caleb Williams Accused of ‘Disrespecting the Flag’ During National Anthem
Unearthed audit exposes vulnerable Dem’s handling of COVID relief funds: ‘Gross oversight’
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.
