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.”
What will Trump’s Greenland obsession mean for the future of NATO?
Davos braces for Trump as even he admits: ‘I have no idea what’s going to happen’
Crime, guns, and taxes: Democrats seek to reshape Virginia moments after taking power
Georgia teen arrested after father turns him in following pair of shootings, police say
Cause of death revealed weeks after woman died following Universal Orlando ride: report
Gov Whitmer says America ‘ready for a woman president,’ contrasting Michelle Obama
Air Force One turns around shortly after takeoff for Trump’s trip to Switzerland
Lindsey Halligan leaves US attorney post after weeks of judicial scrutiny
Former Trump lawyer accuses federal judge of making ‘baseless accusations of lying’ after departure
Missouri couple accused of locking teens in chicken pen, shooting them with BB guns in abuse case
House passes AI education bill for small businesses in landslide 395-14 vote
Cities Church Issues Full-Throated Response to Invasion of their Sunday Worship Service by Leftist Agitators
Nationwide walkout draws thousands into streets on anniversary of Trump’s inauguration
Bondi vows accountability after church attack, says Minnesota ‘a mess right now’
Illegal immigrant allegedly ran from deadly wrong-way DUI crash that killed motorcyclist, records show
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
What will Trump’s Greenland obsession mean for the future of NATO?
Davos braces for Trump as even he admits: ‘I have no idea what’s going to happen’
Crime, guns, and taxes: Democrats seek to reshape Virginia moments after taking power
Georgia teen arrested after father turns him in following pair of shootings, police say
Cause of death revealed weeks after woman died following Universal Orlando ride: report
Gov Whitmer says America ‘ready for a woman president,’ contrasting Michelle Obama
Air Force One turns around shortly after takeoff for Trump’s trip to Switzerland
Lindsey Halligan leaves US attorney post after weeks of judicial scrutiny
Former Trump lawyer accuses federal judge of making ‘baseless accusations of lying’ after departure
Missouri couple accused of locking teens in chicken pen, shooting them with BB guns in abuse case
House passes AI education bill for small businesses in landslide 395-14 vote
Cities Church Issues Full-Throated Response to Invasion of their Sunday Worship Service by Leftist Agitators
Nationwide walkout draws thousands into streets on anniversary of Trump’s inauguration
Bondi vows accountability after church attack, says Minnesota ‘a mess right now’
Illegal immigrant allegedly ran from deadly wrong-way DUI crash that killed motorcyclist, records show
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.
