Donald Trump approved air strikes on Iran, then pulled back: Report

Airstrikes would have marked a dramatic escalation in the already high tensions between the two nations and would raise the specter of a broader conflict in the volatile region

President Donald Trump approved military strikes on Iran after an American drone was shot down by Iranian armed forces, but then decided not to go through with them, the New York Times reported Thursday night.

The targets included radar and missile batteries, the newspaper said, citing unnamed administration officials. The operation was actually underway on Thursday evening -- with planes and ships heading toward their targets -- when the administration called off the attack, according to the Times.

The White House declined to comment on the report. The Times said it was unclear why the attack did not go forward.