“Trump agreed to attack Iran but then blocked it”
The New York Times reported that Donald Trump approved an attack on some Iranian military sites on Thursday morning, June 20, but blocked it on Thursday evening. The United States has also banned its aircraft from flying over Iran.
The New York Times writes that US President Donald Trump, in a meeting with security advisers and senior congressional officials on Thursday morning, June 20, agreed to retaliatory air strikes on several targets in Iran in response to the downing of a US drone by Iranian air defenses, but then backed down.
According to the newspaper's report, which was written based on statements from some high-ranking American officials, American bombers were in the air and on aircraft carriers ready to attack, but on Thursday evening, an order was issued to stop the attack.
Some Iranian military facilities, such as radar and missile defense centers, were scheduled to be attacked on Thursday evening.
The report does not specify why the attack was stopped or whether it was postponed.
A special meeting with Trump and congressional leaders on Iran was reportedly held in the White House Situation Room on Thursday morning. Nancy Pelosi, Mitch McConnell, Schumer, the chairs of the House Intelligence and Defense Committees, and the heads of the intelligence agencies participated in the meeting, which reportedly lasted 90 minutes.
The New York Times writes that during this meeting, a heavy discussion and dialogue took place between Trump and senior security advisers and high-ranking congressional officials.
This report is based on information from senior US government officials who were either involved in or aware of the discussion.
The White House and the Pentagon have not responded to the New York Times report on the Iran attack plan, but they have not made any effort to prevent the report from being published.
US planes banned from flying in Iranian skies
Meanwhile, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned US-registered aircraft from flying over the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman on Thursday local time.
The agency said that increased military activity and growing political tensions between the two countries could endanger commercial aircraft, according to the German news agency. The order was issued to all airlines registered in the United States.
This order was issued following increased tensions between the United States and Iran after the downing of an American drone near the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military's Global Hawk drone was shot down by a missile fired by Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces over the waters of the Persian Gulf on Thursday morning, June 20.
Officials at the US Central Command (CENTCOM) say the drone was flying over the Strait of Hormuz when it was targeted and had not entered Iranian airspace. Iran, however, says it targeted the US drone in its airspace.
Source: DW
