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.”
Trump calls former Prince Andrew’s arrest ‘so bad’ for royal family: ‘Very sad’
Giant Trump banner hung on Justice Department headquarters
Armed Georgia man arrested at US Capitol told police he wanted to ‘talk’ to Congress: docs
Top Maryland Democrat defies Jeffries on mid-cycle redistricting push to boot state’s lone Republican
Gov. Wes Moore stands by account of grandfather’s interaction with KKK amid scrutiny: ‘Hurtful and offensive’
U.K. Pauses Giving Away Strategic Island After Trump Hits Leaders for ‘Bowing to Wokeism’
Illegal immigrant truck driver accused of killing Indiana man after running red light
The Atlantic Runs a Strange ‘Hitler’s Greenland Obsession’ Piece Clearly Meant to Target Trump
Trump contrasts ‘tough’ Vance to ‘velvet’ Rubio during Board of Peace meeting
GOP rips FISA court for tapping ex-Biden ‘disinformation’ lawyer to advise on surveillance
Hunter Biden’s former ‘sugar brother’ lawyer drops big money on Swalwell’s campaign: ‘Biggest cheerleader’
Watch: DC Water Manager Admitted Deciding Agency Had Too Many Whites – DEI Fixed That But Also Covered DC in 240 Million Gallons of Raw Sewage
BREAKING: Former Prince Andrew Arrested in Epstein Case
DC Mayor Bowser declares emergency over Potomac sewage spill, asks for federal help
RNC sues to stop Democrats’ Virginia redistricting push
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
Trump calls former Prince Andrew’s arrest ‘so bad’ for royal family: ‘Very sad’
Giant Trump banner hung on Justice Department headquarters
Armed Georgia man arrested at US Capitol told police he wanted to ‘talk’ to Congress: docs
Top Maryland Democrat defies Jeffries on mid-cycle redistricting push to boot state’s lone Republican
Gov. Wes Moore stands by account of grandfather’s interaction with KKK amid scrutiny: ‘Hurtful and offensive’
U.K. Pauses Giving Away Strategic Island After Trump Hits Leaders for ‘Bowing to Wokeism’
Illegal immigrant truck driver accused of killing Indiana man after running red light
The Atlantic Runs a Strange ‘Hitler’s Greenland Obsession’ Piece Clearly Meant to Target Trump
Trump contrasts ‘tough’ Vance to ‘velvet’ Rubio during Board of Peace meeting
GOP rips FISA court for tapping ex-Biden ‘disinformation’ lawyer to advise on surveillance
Hunter Biden’s former ‘sugar brother’ lawyer drops big money on Swalwell’s campaign: ‘Biggest cheerleader’
Watch: DC Water Manager Admitted Deciding Agency Had Too Many Whites – DEI Fixed That But Also Covered DC in 240 Million Gallons of Raw Sewage
BREAKING: Former Prince Andrew Arrested in Epstein Case
DC Mayor Bowser declares emergency over Potomac sewage spill, asks for federal help
RNC sues to stop Democrats’ Virginia redistricting push
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.
