Donald Trump 'approved military airstrike' against Iran before abruptly calling it off

Donald Trump pictured on Thursday
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
James Morris21 June 2019

Donald Trump reportedly approved military airstrikes on Iran before abruptly calling them off at the eleventh hour.

An operation was called off with just hours to go as the US prepared to retaliate after the downing of one its huge surveillance drones.

A US official leaked Thursday’s aborted plan. The New York Times reported Mr Trump had approved the strikes. The White House has declined requests for comment from US news agencies.

According to the official, the strikes were recommended by the Pentagon.

A screenshot from Iran's Press TV state service of a missile system used to shoot down the drone
PTV/EPA

It was called off just before midnight, UK time, after Mr Trump had spent most of the day with top security aides and congressional leaders.

Asked earlier how the US would respond to the attack, Mr Trump had said: “You'll soon find out.”

The planned operation was a stark reminder of the risk of military conflict between the US and Iran.

With tensions mounting in recent weeks, there have been growing fears that either side could make a move that leads to war.

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The Trump administration has been combining a "maximum pressure" campaign of economic sanctions over Iran's nuclear programme with a build-up of American forces in the region.

The downing of the US drone over the Strait of Hormuz prompted accusations from the US and Iran about who was the aggressor.

A US Air Force file image of the type of drone which was shot down
AFP/Getty Images

Iran insisted the drone violated Iranian airspace while Washington said it had been flying over international waters.

Mr Trump had initially declared in a tweet: "Iran made a very big mistake!"

But he later said that shooting down the drone, which has a wingspan wider than a Boeing 737, was a foolish error rather than an intentional escalation – suggesting he may have been looking for some way to avoid a crisis.

"I find it hard to believe it was intentional, if you want to know the truth," Mr Trump said at the White House. "I think that it could have been somebody who was loose and stupid that did it."

Mr Trump has repeatedly said he wants to avoid war and negotiate with Iran over its nuclear ambitions.

Additional reporting by Associated Press.

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