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.”
UK Is Lost: After Brutal Gang Rape, Cops Turn on Angry Citizens for Refusing to Be Politically Correct About Unthinkable Crime
BBQ lovers beware: Middle East conflict might disrupt your summer plans this year
Watch: Rep. Boebert Planning Motion to Expel Ilhan Omar from Congress Over Alleged Incestuous Marriage – ‘That One’s Mine… I Have Dibs’
Boston mayor denies funding LGBTQ migrant ‘wellness’ perks after program touts up to $500 benefits
White House goes hands-off in Virginia redistricting fight, despite pressure from Speaker Johnson
Dems sidestep past ‘refuse illegal orders’ demands as they challenge Trump’s Iran war authority
Iran could use detained Americans as ‘sweetener’ in nuclear talks, ex-hostage envoy warns
Air Force Academy’s ‘CULEX’ puts thousands of cadets through realistic 24-hour combat simulation
Trump set to read Scripture from the Oval Office during ‘America Reads the Bible’ event starting Sunday
Fox News Campus Radicals Newsletter: Dem teachers groom ‘foot soldiers,’ justice served to anti-Israel group
RFK Jr clashes with Dem lawmaker over Trump’s mental fitness in heated exchange
Gold Star father says prior Afghanistan review smelled ‘like a cover-up’ as new look examines millions of docs
Fact Check: Did Pete Hegseth Accidentally Quote a ‘Fake Bible Verse from Pulp Fiction’?
Skeletal remains found by hikers in Washington state woods identified as woman missing since 2024
Two boys dead after illegal immigrant from Mexico allegedly drove drunk and hit them on a sidewalk
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
UK Is Lost: After Brutal Gang Rape, Cops Turn on Angry Citizens for Refusing to Be Politically Correct About Unthinkable Crime
BBQ lovers beware: Middle East conflict might disrupt your summer plans this year
Watch: Rep. Boebert Planning Motion to Expel Ilhan Omar from Congress Over Alleged Incestuous Marriage – ‘That One’s Mine… I Have Dibs’
Boston mayor denies funding LGBTQ migrant ‘wellness’ perks after program touts up to $500 benefits
White House goes hands-off in Virginia redistricting fight, despite pressure from Speaker Johnson
Dems sidestep past ‘refuse illegal orders’ demands as they challenge Trump’s Iran war authority
Iran could use detained Americans as ‘sweetener’ in nuclear talks, ex-hostage envoy warns
Air Force Academy’s ‘CULEX’ puts thousands of cadets through realistic 24-hour combat simulation
Trump set to read Scripture from the Oval Office during ‘America Reads the Bible’ event starting Sunday
Fox News Campus Radicals Newsletter: Dem teachers groom ‘foot soldiers,’ justice served to anti-Israel group
RFK Jr clashes with Dem lawmaker over Trump’s mental fitness in heated exchange
Gold Star father says prior Afghanistan review smelled ‘like a cover-up’ as new look examines millions of docs
Fact Check: Did Pete Hegseth Accidentally Quote a ‘Fake Bible Verse from Pulp Fiction’?
Skeletal remains found by hikers in Washington state woods identified as woman missing since 2024
Two boys dead after illegal immigrant from Mexico allegedly drove drunk and hit them on a sidewalk
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.
