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.”
WATCH: Houston faces $110M hit as Texas gov lays down law on ‘sanctuary’ policies
Left-wing activists heckle pro-Israel Democrat Haley Stevens at Michigan convention
Kash Patel files $250 million defamation lawsuit against the Atlantic over drinking allegations
Hawaii tourist charged with attempted murder, accused of stabbing veteran boat captain on snorkel tour
Law Professor: Blue States Taxing Fleeing Residents Are Like ‘Deranged Ex-Spouse In Denial’
Blue City Paradise: NYC Thugs Steal Elderly Women’s Car, Hit 72-Year-Old With Walker as They Make Their Getaway
Nancy Guthrie sheriff under pressure as petition demands access for United Cajun Navy
US military announces another deadly strike against ‘narco-terrorists’
DOJ demands 865K Detroit ballots, threatening possible legal action
GOP Senate hopeful Michele Tafoya accuses Walz, Ellison of ignoring Minnesota fraud scheme
NYPD investigating ‘reckless’ drag racing street takeover in Queens
Republicans Cline and Presler rally against Virginia redistricting vote
Pennsylvania man accused of stealing over 100 sets of human remains appears in court in ‘horror movie’ case
Survey finds nearly one-third of Long Island residents say Jews should ‘move on’ from the Holocaust
DOJ Reportedly Appealing Ruling That Limits Feds’ Ability to Use Notorious Spy Tool
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
WATCH: Houston faces $110M hit as Texas gov lays down law on ‘sanctuary’ policies
Left-wing activists heckle pro-Israel Democrat Haley Stevens at Michigan convention
Kash Patel files $250 million defamation lawsuit against the Atlantic over drinking allegations
Hawaii tourist charged with attempted murder, accused of stabbing veteran boat captain on snorkel tour
Law Professor: Blue States Taxing Fleeing Residents Are Like ‘Deranged Ex-Spouse In Denial’
Blue City Paradise: NYC Thugs Steal Elderly Women’s Car, Hit 72-Year-Old With Walker as They Make Their Getaway
Nancy Guthrie sheriff under pressure as petition demands access for United Cajun Navy
US military announces another deadly strike against ‘narco-terrorists’
DOJ demands 865K Detroit ballots, threatening possible legal action
GOP Senate hopeful Michele Tafoya accuses Walz, Ellison of ignoring Minnesota fraud scheme
NYPD investigating ‘reckless’ drag racing street takeover in Queens
Republicans Cline and Presler rally against Virginia redistricting vote
Pennsylvania man accused of stealing over 100 sets of human remains appears in court in ‘horror movie’ case
Survey finds nearly one-third of Long Island residents say Jews should ‘move on’ from the Holocaust
DOJ Reportedly Appealing Ruling That Limits Feds’ Ability to Use Notorious Spy Tool
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.
