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.”
John Fetterman accidentally calls himself a ‘lifelong Republican’ at Texas Tribune Festival
SCOTUS Climate Suit Could Devastate Family Farms, Give China and Russia an Edge: Expert
Ozempic Maker Teams Up with Big AI for New Drug Development
Texas voters have plenty to say about whether Lone Star State could turn blue
Irish PM rejects antisemitism concerns in Ireland amid dramatic vote over boycotting Israel game
Tim Tebow Announces He’s ‘Pausing’ Relationship with Christian Group Targeted by Liberal Reporter
Trump Terminates ‘Ridiculous’ Biden-Buttigieg EV Mandate with Sweeping New Fuel Standards
Trump’s Greenland obsession isn’t random. Here’s what’s at stake
Trump reaffirms ICE arrest policy after confusing guidance sparks alarm among agents
Disturbing Video: ‘One of the Most Horrific Things I’ve Seen’ – Journalists Disgusted as Illegal Nearly Drowns Toddler in Effort to Cross Border
Florida sex offender accused of babysitting-ad trap as police investigate potential interstate predator
China Isn’t Waiting for Permits: US Leaders Warn It’s ‘Quicker to Get a College Degree’ Than to Power America
Nonimmigrant visas in flux due to Trump administration fees
Lee Gilley’s Texas attorney ‘never had one like this’ as accused wife killer clings to Italian lifeline
Iran ‘miscalculating’ by betting on midterms after 3-hour talks, Trump officials warn
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
John Fetterman accidentally calls himself a ‘lifelong Republican’ at Texas Tribune Festival
SCOTUS Climate Suit Could Devastate Family Farms, Give China and Russia an Edge: Expert
Ozempic Maker Teams Up with Big AI for New Drug Development
Texas voters have plenty to say about whether Lone Star State could turn blue
Irish PM rejects antisemitism concerns in Ireland amid dramatic vote over boycotting Israel game
Tim Tebow Announces He’s ‘Pausing’ Relationship with Christian Group Targeted by Liberal Reporter
Trump Terminates ‘Ridiculous’ Biden-Buttigieg EV Mandate with Sweeping New Fuel Standards
Trump’s Greenland obsession isn’t random. Here’s what’s at stake
Trump reaffirms ICE arrest policy after confusing guidance sparks alarm among agents
Disturbing Video: ‘One of the Most Horrific Things I’ve Seen’ – Journalists Disgusted as Illegal Nearly Drowns Toddler in Effort to Cross Border
Florida sex offender accused of babysitting-ad trap as police investigate potential interstate predator
China Isn’t Waiting for Permits: US Leaders Warn It’s ‘Quicker to Get a College Degree’ Than to Power America
Nonimmigrant visas in flux due to Trump administration fees
Lee Gilley’s Texas attorney ‘never had one like this’ as accused wife killer clings to Italian lifeline
Iran ‘miscalculating’ by betting on midterms after 3-hour talks, Trump officials warn
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.
