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.”
Dem rep opens House hearing by telling Noem to resign in fiery statement
Republican rift puts spotlight on high-stakes showdown over Trump-driven red state redistricting
Federal judge orders release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from ICE custody
DHS Reveals Historic Number Illegal Aliens Left the US in 2025 – Deportations Were Just a Fraction
Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: NYC braces for British-style taxes, antisemitism
Democratic Congresswoman Accused of Joining Riot and Attempting to ‘Impede Law Enforcement Officers’
Ex-Kentucky sheriff admits to shooting judge but claims he ‘had no control’ over actions: report
Leftist Code Pink founder praise for Marjorie Taylor Greene stuns social media
Trump declares support for Cabinet official after report he is considering replacement
Local News Claimed Somalis Add to the State Economy, Then the Internet Did the Math – It Didn’t Add Up
Dueling healthcare votes test Thune’s GOP unity on Obamacare
Mamdani Vows to Let Homeless Roam Free, Republican Accuses Him of Leaving Them ‘To Freeze… on the Streets’
Philadelphia teachers partner with organization under congressional investigation for terrorism ties
Democrats target ‘vulnerable’ Republican senators ahead of high-stakes health care showdown
New Jersey’s medically assisted suicide law only covers state residents, appeals court rules
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
Dem rep opens House hearing by telling Noem to resign in fiery statement
Republican rift puts spotlight on high-stakes showdown over Trump-driven red state redistricting
Federal judge orders release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from ICE custody
DHS Reveals Historic Number Illegal Aliens Left the US in 2025 – Deportations Were Just a Fraction
Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: NYC braces for British-style taxes, antisemitism
Democratic Congresswoman Accused of Joining Riot and Attempting to ‘Impede Law Enforcement Officers’
Ex-Kentucky sheriff admits to shooting judge but claims he ‘had no control’ over actions: report
Leftist Code Pink founder praise for Marjorie Taylor Greene stuns social media
Trump declares support for Cabinet official after report he is considering replacement
Local News Claimed Somalis Add to the State Economy, Then the Internet Did the Math – It Didn’t Add Up
Dueling healthcare votes test Thune’s GOP unity on Obamacare
Mamdani Vows to Let Homeless Roam Free, Republican Accuses Him of Leaving Them ‘To Freeze… on the Streets’
Philadelphia teachers partner with organization under congressional investigation for terrorism ties
Democrats target ‘vulnerable’ Republican senators ahead of high-stakes health care showdown
New Jersey’s medically assisted suicide law only covers state residents, appeals court rules
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.
