AP, WASHINGTONA US official yesterday said that the military made preparations on Thursday night for limited strikes on Iran in retaliation for the downing of a US surveillance drone, but approval was abruptly withdrawn before the attacks were launched. The New York Times reported that US President Donald Trump had approved the strikes, but then called them off. The White House on Thursday night declined requests for information about whether Trump changed his mind. The US official said the strikes were recommended by the Pentagon and were among the options presented to senior administration officials. “I find it hard to believe it was intentional, if you want to know the truth,” Trump said at the White House.

Source: Taipei Times June 21, 2019 15:56 UTC