Washington AP – President Trump ordered military strikes against Iran and then abruptly called them off at the last minute.
The operation was in its initial stages, with ships in position and planes in the air, when the order came to stand down, The New York Times reported. It’s not clear why the President changed his mind or whether the attacks may still happen.
Tensions with Iran escalated after the Iranians shot down a US drone. Iran policy hardliners in the administration and some GOP lawmakers have pushed for a military response, but Democrats have warned Trump not to take actions that could lead to the start of a war.
@RealDonaldTrump took to Twitter on the issue this morning:
….On Monday they shot down an unmanned drone flying in International Waters. We were cocked & loaded to retaliate last night on 3 different sights when I asked, how many will die. 150 people, sir, was the answer from a General. 10 minutes before the strike I stopped it, not….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 21, 2019
(Associated Press