International News Opinons

Trump Ordered, Then Canceled Air and Naval Strikes Against Iran

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.”


Virginia Dems Make Glaring Errors In Rushed Court Motion To Save Gerrymandering Scheme
Rebukes of Trump’s Pick for FDA Head Miss One Critical Fact
Union-funded anti-Spencer Pratt ad sparks backlash as critics say it could help him
Students’ pre-prom gathering turns into deadly nightmare as bullets fly
Marco Rubio Reveals the Message He Delivered Pope Leo During ‘Important Meeting’ at Vatican
Mom charged with child abuse after toddler found with tattoo in ‘deplorable’ home: cops
Trump says US helped secure release of 5 prisoners in Belarus deal, thanks Lukashenko
Savannah Guthrie urges public to help find missing mother Nancy in emotional Mother’s Day post
Kristin Smart search ends with no remains found as detectives analyze evidence
Watch: MLB Team Makes ‘Middle School Mistake’ As Season Continues to Spiral
Biden seeks to block DOJ release of 2017 audio, court filing says
Should ‘The View’ Be Considered News? ABC and FCC Go to Battle Over Embattled Show
Major Evangelic Denomination Sees Memberships Fall Amid Debates Over Female Pastors, Growing Distrust
Alert: African Islamists to Begin Executing Christian Women and Children from Group of 416 Recently Kidnapped Hostages
‘Free beer’ for Trump death Dem activist running for Wisconsin gov: ‘I will win’ if they silence me
See also  At least five killed and dozens injured in Ukraine in ‘vile’ Russian strike amid ceasefire talk

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:


Virginia Dems Make Glaring Errors In Rushed Court Motion To Save Gerrymandering Scheme
Rebukes of Trump’s Pick for FDA Head Miss One Critical Fact
Union-funded anti-Spencer Pratt ad sparks backlash as critics say it could help him
Students’ pre-prom gathering turns into deadly nightmare as bullets fly
Marco Rubio Reveals the Message He Delivered Pope Leo During ‘Important Meeting’ at Vatican
Mom charged with child abuse after toddler found with tattoo in ‘deplorable’ home: cops
Trump says US helped secure release of 5 prisoners in Belarus deal, thanks Lukashenko
Savannah Guthrie urges public to help find missing mother Nancy in emotional Mother’s Day post
Kristin Smart search ends with no remains found as detectives analyze evidence
Watch: MLB Team Makes ‘Middle School Mistake’ As Season Continues to Spiral
Biden seeks to block DOJ release of 2017 audio, court filing says
Should ‘The View’ Be Considered News? ABC and FCC Go to Battle Over Embattled Show
Major Evangelic Denomination Sees Memberships Fall Amid Debates Over Female Pastors, Growing Distrust
Alert: African Islamists to Begin Executing Christian Women and Children from Group of 416 Recently Kidnapped Hostages
‘Free beer’ for Trump death Dem activist running for Wisconsin gov: ‘I will win’ if they silence me
See also  Trump motorcade drives across Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to inspect renovation efforts

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.

Share this article:
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter