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.”
North Korean Hackers Hijacked US Employee Webcams to Steal Hundreds of Millions – The FBI Just Put a Stop to It
These AI Startups Want To Predict Your Moves, Speak For The Dead — And ‘Take Your Jobs’
Buttigieg takes swipe at Trump administration amid FAA flight chaos
NYC DSA urges AOC to run for president while planning to take over City Council
Congress’ incoming wealthiest member vows to crack down on politicians getting rich in office
Virginia parents charged after house party draws hundreds of teens, fireworks and alleged underage drinking
OnlyFans model Courtney Clenney moved to new prison, listed as minimum custody inmate: records
Trump’s top officials retreat behind military gates as ex-FBI deputy points to what’s fueling threats
Dem Senator Who Called for RFK Jr to ‘Resign or Be Fired’ Is Backed By Big Pharma
Inside Senate GOP’s tense post-election reckoning as Thune clashes with Republican critics
Fed Up Over Soaring Power Bills, Georgia Voters Hand Spend-Happy Democrats Power Over What They Pay for Electricity
Democrat Pushes GOP Leadership to Renew Warrantless Spying Before His Party Takes Power
Bird Flu Outbreak Rages in Blue State as Illegal Farm Hands Dodge Health Officials, Union Says
Marc Siegel hopes readers will ‘look for signs from God’ through his new book The Angels Among Us
Small town residents cry for help as immigrant influx fueled by trucking industry has unintended consequences
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
North Korean Hackers Hijacked US Employee Webcams to Steal Hundreds of Millions – The FBI Just Put a Stop to It
These AI Startups Want To Predict Your Moves, Speak For The Dead — And ‘Take Your Jobs’
Buttigieg takes swipe at Trump administration amid FAA flight chaos
NYC DSA urges AOC to run for president while planning to take over City Council
Congress’ incoming wealthiest member vows to crack down on politicians getting rich in office
Virginia parents charged after house party draws hundreds of teens, fireworks and alleged underage drinking
OnlyFans model Courtney Clenney moved to new prison, listed as minimum custody inmate: records
Trump’s top officials retreat behind military gates as ex-FBI deputy points to what’s fueling threats
Dem Senator Who Called for RFK Jr to ‘Resign or Be Fired’ Is Backed By Big Pharma
Inside Senate GOP’s tense post-election reckoning as Thune clashes with Republican critics
Fed Up Over Soaring Power Bills, Georgia Voters Hand Spend-Happy Democrats Power Over What They Pay for Electricity
Democrat Pushes GOP Leadership to Renew Warrantless Spying Before His Party Takes Power
Bird Flu Outbreak Rages in Blue State as Illegal Farm Hands Dodge Health Officials, Union Says
Marc Siegel hopes readers will ‘look for signs from God’ through his new book The Angels Among Us
Small town residents cry for help as immigrant influx fueled by trucking industry has unintended consequences
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.
