BICOM

US President Donald Trump reportedly approved airstrikes against Iran before changing his mind at the last minute.

According to the New York Times, the US military were prepared last night for limited strikes against a “handful” of targets in Iran in retaliation after a US drone was shot down, but Trump withdrew his approval before the attacks were launched. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Adviser John Bolton and CIA Director Gina Haspel had reportedly supported the military action.

The New York Times report said that as late as 19:00 local time (23:00 GMT), US military and diplomatic officials still expected the strikes to take place on a series of targets including Iranian radar and missile batteries. “Planes were in the air and ships were in position, but no missiles had been fired when word came to stand down,” an unnamed senior administration official said.

Trump said that “Iran made a very big mistake” when it shot down a US drone in it said was international air space over the Strait of Hormuz. He added: “I find it hard to believe it was intentional, if you want to know the truth, I think that it could have been somebody who was loose and stupid that did it.”

Iran claims the US drone entered Iranian airspace late on Wednesday night. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif yesterday tweeted the coordinates of where he claimed parts of the drone had been recovered in Iranian territorial waters. “We don’t seek war, but will zealously defend our skies, land & waters,” he said. The US maintains it was shot down in international airspace.

Israel’s Channel 13 News reported yesterday that Israeli security officials believe the attack on the US drone was a test of the Trump administration’s resolve. They are worried Iran might interpret a hesitant US response as evidence of Trump’s reluctance to engage in military operations against Iran and conclude it has more room for manoeuvre to carry out aggressive action in the Gulf.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “In the last 24 hours, Iran has intensified its aggression against the United States and against all of us. And I repeat my call for all peace-loving countries to stand by the United States in its effort to stop Iranian aggression. Israel stands by the United States on this.”