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
Trump threatens to pull Boebert endorsement, calls congresswoman ‘weak minded’ over Massie support
Trump celebrates after UN climate committee moves away from its most extreme global warming scenario
Trump scores major Republican primary victory as Cassidy ousted in Louisiana
Maduro’s alleged ‘bag man’ Alex Saab arrested less than 3 years after Biden pardon: report
Massachusetts governor asks US Navy to help retrieve bodies, evidence from sunken fishing vessel
Trump shares stunning photos of Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation, says project is ahead of schedule
Suspected drunk driver kills 2 pedestrians in violent chain-reaction crash on Manhattan’s Upper West Side
Breaking: US Makes ‘Intense Preparations’ for Impending Iran Attacks as Trump Sends Warning
US Attorney Pirro Lays Down Law: Parents Need to Stop ‘Teen Takeovers’ or Face Jail
We Were Right: 13 Heads Roll as DC Police’s Conspiracy to Deceive Public on Astronomical Crime Rates Exposed
Masked suspect charged with using fuel, fireworks in Walmart kids section as cover for massive jewelry heist
Former college soccer player killed in boat crash after group allegedly took vessel without authorization
Pope Leo does ‘6-7’ trend for children at the Vatican
Violent Repeat Offender Left Psych Ward Days Before Allegedly Shooting Up Busy Massachusetts Street
Second FDA executive departing organization in less than a week as top drug regulator claims she was fired
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.
