United States: The Atlantic magazine has inadvertently disseminated highly sensitive United States operational plans targeting Yemen’s Houthi insurgents. This revelation emerged after classified discussions were mistakenly disclosed within a group chat that included its editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg. 

The disclosure, occurring on a Wednesday, coincided with former US President Donald Trump’s attempts to downplay the significance of these communications exchanged via the Signal messaging platform, dismissing them as “not a major concern.” 

Crucial correspondences from the leaked dialogue trace back to March 15, emanating from an account appearing to belong to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. These exchanges transpired as US military forces braced for an imminent offensive in Yemen. 

Among the key figures engaged in the conversation were Vice President JD Vance, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, presumed White House Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller (SM), and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard (TG), according to reports by Al Jazeera and some news agencies. 

Below is an exhaustive transcript chronicling the exchanges among senior US officials on the day of the strikes: 

March 15 

Hegseth (11:44 AM ET):TEAM BRIEFING.CURRENT TIME (1144 ET): Weather conditions optimal. CONFIRMED with CENTCOM—green light for mission execution.1215 ET: F-18s initiate launch sequence (first strike deployment).1345 ET: ‘Trigger-Based’ F-18s engage strike window (high-value target confirmed at location—on schedule). Concurrently, MQ-9 Strike Drones deploy.1410 ET: Additional F-18s launch (second strike package).1415 ET: Strike Drones engage designated targets (FIRST BOMBS WILL BE RELEASED, pending preceding ‘Trigger-Based’ engagements).1536 ET: Second-wave F-18 offensive initiates. Simultaneously, initial sea-based Tomahawk missiles were launched. 

FOLLOW-UP UPDATES WILL BE DISSEMINATED AS PER TIMELINE. 

Current operational security remains uncompromised. 

Godspeed to our warriors. 

Vance (12:13 PM ET): Offering a prayer for success. 

Waltz (1:48 PM ET): VP, the structure has collapsed. Positive ID confirmed. Pete, Kurilla, and the Intelligence Community executed superbly. 

Vance (1:54 PM ET): Clarify. 

Waltz (2:00 PM ET): Apologies—typing rapidly. The primary target—a senior missile strategist—was positively identified entering a residential building. That structure is now reduced to rubble, as per Al Jazeera. 

Vance (2:01 PM ET): Outstanding. 

Ratcliffe (2:36 PM ET): A formidable commencement. 

Rubio (5:14 PM ET): Exceptional work, Pete and team! 

Waltz (5:15 PM ET): Acknowledgment to our colleagues at MAL—phenomenal execution. 

Stephen Miller (5:18 PM ET): Excellent results. A resounding beginning. 

Hegseth (5:20 PM ET): CENTCOM displayed precision and efficiency. More waves of strikes are set to persist throughout the evening. An initial comprehensive report will follow tomorrow. Thus far—precise timing, accurate targeting, and promising intelligence assessments. 

Wiles (5:21 PM ET): Commendations to all—especially those in the field and CENTCOM. Remarkable execution. God bless. 

Steve Witkoff – Middle East Special Envoy (5:47 PM ET): US operational excellence displayed. 

Gabbard (6:35 PM ET): Exceptional execution and strategic impact! 

March 13 – Pre-Strike Coordination 

Waltz (4:28 PM ET): Team—initiating a high-level coordination group focused on the Houthi response over the next 72 hours. 

Alex Wong, my deputy, is assembling an expedited task force at the Chief of Staff level. This follows the morning sit-room briefing and will outline immediate action points. Further details will be disseminated later tonight, according to Al Jazeera. 

Kindly designate the best point of contact for your team to facilitate streamlined communication over the weekend. Much appreciated. 

Rubio (4:29 PM ET): Mike Needham—State Department liaison. 

Vance (4:29 PM ET): Andy Baker—Vice President’s Office. 

Gabbard (4:30 PM ET): Joe Kent—DNI lead. 

Scott Bessent (4:39 PM ET): Dan Katz—Treasury representative. 

Hegseth (4:53 PM ET): Dan Caldwell—Department of Defense representative. 

Brian (6:34 PM ET): Brian McCormack—National Security Council liaison. 

March 14 – Strategic Deliberations 

Waltz (8:05 AM ET): All teams should have received a directive statement with corresponding tasking assignments per the President’s instructions. 

State and DoD have outlined regional ally and partner notification protocols. The Joint Chiefs have developed a strategic timeline detailing forthcoming actions, with updates provided to COS, OVP, and POTUS. 

Vance (8:16 AM ET): Engaged in an economic engagement in Michigan today but raising a strategic concern. 

Approximately 3% of US trade and 40% of European commerce transit through the Suez Canal. Public perception remains a critical factor—does the populace understand the necessity of this operation? 

The paramount justification, as POTUS articulated, is to send an unequivocal message. However, does this align with his current European policy rhetoric? Additionally, there is a tangible risk of a substantial surge in oil prices. 

I will defer to the team’s consensus and refrain from public objections. However, there is a compelling case for postponement—one month—to align messaging, assess economic conditions, and strategize accordingly. 

Joe Kent – Gabbard’s Chief of Staff (8:22 AM ET): No immediate exigency dictating the current timeline. The operational options will remain unchanged a month from now. 

Israeli strikes could necessitate replenishment requests, but that remains a secondary concern. I will forward the unclassified shipping data. 

Ratcliffe (8:26 AM ET): From a CIA standpoint, asset mobilization is underway, but a delay would be advantageous, providing opportunities to refine intelligence and enhance surveillance on Houthi leadership. 

Hegseth (8:27 AM ET): 

VP: Your concerns are valid. I encourage you to address them with POTUS. 

We face uncertainties—economic ramifications, geopolitical entanglements, and ongoing conflicts. Messaging will be challenging regardless; few Americans recognize the Houthis. The focus must remain: 1) Biden’s failure; 2) Iranian sponsorship. 

Two risks in postponement: 1) leaks, resulting in perceived indecision; 2) an Israeli preemptive action or Gaza truce collapse, shifting control over engagement timing. 

We are prepared. My vote, if decisive, would be for immediate execution. This is fundamentally about safeguarding maritime navigation and reestablishing deterrence. 

Nevertheless, I support a pause if the team deems it necessary and will ensure absolute operational security.