WASHINGTON, June 21, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Donald Trump approved but then
scrapped strikes against Iranian targets on Thursday, The New York Times
reported, after Iran shot down a US drone in what the president termed a “big
mistake.”
The US was planning to hit “a handful of Iranian targets, like radar and
missile batteries” Thursday evening, the newspaper said, citing senior
administration officials, but the plan was suddenly aborted in its early
stages.
White House and Pentagon officials declined to comment, the Times said, and
it was unclear whether there were plans for such strikes to go forward in the
future.
Iran said earlier it had recovered parts of a US Global Hawk spy drone in
its territorial waters after downing the aircraft in a missile strike, but
the Pentagon says it was above international waters when it was hit.
“Iran made a very big mistake!” Trump tweeted, before later appearing to
dial back tensions.
“I find it hard to believe it was intentional, if you want to know the
truth,” Trump said. “I think that it could have been somebody who was loose
and stupid that did it.”
The president’s mixed message left the world unsure what Washington’s next
move would be.
“You will find out,” Trump said, when asked about possible retaliation.
“We don’t seek war, but will zealously defend our skies, land & waters,”
said Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.