Trump: I Called Off Iran Strike With 10 Minutes to Spare

Says 'we were cocked & loaded' but decided it wouldn't be proportionate response
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 21, 2019 8:54 AM CDT
Trump on Iran: Yes, We 'Were Cocked & Loaded'
President Trump in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in April.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The reports were correct: President Trump on Friday confirmed that the US was poised to launch an airstrike on Iran before he called it off, reports the Hill. "We were cocked & loaded to retaliate last night on 3 different sights when I asked, how many will die," Trump tweeted. "150 people, sir, was the answer from a General." Trump wrote that he called off the mission 10 minutes before launch because it was "not proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone." His comments come after Iran shot down an American surveillance drone, saying it was over Iranian territory. The US disagrees, saying the drone was over international waters.

"I am in no hurry, our Military is rebuilt, new, and ready to go, by far the best in the world," Trump wrote. "Sanctions are biting & more added last night. Iran can NEVER have Nuclear Weapons, not against the USA, and not against the WORLD!" On Thursday, the president suggested that a rogue Iranian commander might have been responsible for the decision to take down the drone, rather than the regime's leaders. (More President Trump stories.)

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