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.”
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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
Newsom’s wife lashes out at Trump after he rips ’60 Minutes’ host: ‘Internalized misogyny’
Mamdani’s education plan’s ‘lack of merit’ could fundamentally change student outcomes: GOP leader warns
Watch: Bubba Wallace Sparks NASCAR Mega-Crash That Sweeps Up the Majority of the Field
Trump Calls for Jimmy Kimmel to Be ‘Immediately Fired by ABC and Disney’ After ‘Beyond the Pale’ Melania Stunt
Hakeem Jeffries doubles down on ‘maximum warfare’ rhetoric, tells critics ‘I don’t give a damn’
Illegal migrant accused of NY dumpster rape captured on Texas bus as he fled toward southern border: DA
Sun-soaked Boca Bash revelers meet badge blitz as cops flood wild floating party scene
Clip of James Carville Saying He Wants Trump ‘to Suffer’ Resurfaces Following Assassination Attempt
Karoline Leavitt Says DHS Situation Is a ‘National Emergency’ in the Wake of WHCD Shooting
Dem Senate hopefuls under scrutiny for ‘choke them out’ rhetoric after Trump attack scare
Trump admin tightens vise on student aid fraud in ‘ghost student’ crackdown
‘You Should Be Ashamed’: Trump Unleashes on CBS’ Norah O’Donnell Over Question About WHCD Gunman
Leavitt blames ‘left-wing cult of hatred’ after WHCA Dinner shooting
German chancellor says US is being ‘humiliated’ by Iran
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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.
