A group chat of top US officials – which a journalist was accidentally added to – discussed plans to conduct airstrikes on Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis and fiery critique of “pathetic” Europe.

Editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, was added to the “Houthi PC small group” on Signal on Thursday 13 March.

He wrote about what was said in the days that followed in his article The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans.

The White House sought to downplay the incident – leading to a second article from The Atlantic going into more detail about discussion it said “veered toward the operational”.

Here’s what we know was said on encrypted messaging service Signal – in a group that included US vice president JD Vance, defence secretary Pete Hegseth, national security adviser Mike Waltz and director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

Thursday 13 March

This day was seemingly aimed at establishing who would make up the small group.

A message to the group, from Michael Waltz read: “Team – establishing a principles [sic] group for coordination on Houthis, particularly for over the next 72 hours. My deputy Alex Wong is pulling together a tiger team at deputies/agency Chief of Staff level following up from the meeting in the Sit Room this morning for action items and will be sending that out later this evening.”

The message continued: “Pls provide the best staff POC from your team for us to coordinate with over the next couple days and over the weekend. Thx.”

One minute later, the secretary of state Marco Antonio Rubio wrote: “Mike Needham for State,” apparently designating the current counsellor of the state department as his representative.

JD Vance wrote: “Andy baker for VP.” One minute after that, Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, wrote: “Joe Kent for DNI.”

Nine minutes later, treasury secretary Scott Bessent wrote: “Dan Katz for Treasury.”

At 4.53pm Pete Hegseth wrote: “Dan Caldwell for DoD.”

And at 6.34pm, a user called “Brian” wrote “Brian McCormack for NSC.” Someone called “John Ratcliffe” then wrote with the name of a CIA official to be included in the group.

Friday 14 March

At 8.05am, Mr Waltz texted the group: “Team, you should have a statement of conclusions with taskings per the Presidents [sic] guidance this morning in your high side inboxes,” with “high side” referring to classified computer systems.

“State and DOD [Department of Defence], we developed suggested notification lists for regional Allies and partners. Joint Staff is sending this am [morning] a more specific sequence of events in the coming days and we will work w DOD to ensure COS [chief of staff], OVP [office of the vice president] and POTUS [president of the United States] are briefed.”

Mr Goldberg says at this point, a “fascinating” policy discussion commenced, during which JD Vance wrote: “Team, I am out for the day doing an economic event in Michigan. But I think we are making a mistake.

“3 percent of US trade runs through the suez. 40 percent of European trade does. There is a real risk that the public doesn’t understand this or why it’s necessary. The strongest reason to do this is, as POTUS said, to send a message.

“I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now. There’s a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices. I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself. But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc.”

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At 8.27am, a message arrived from the Pete Hegseth reading: “VP: I understand your concerns – and fully support you raising w/ POTUS. Important considerations, most of which are tough to know how they play out (economy, Ukraine peace, Gaza, etc). I think messaging is going to be tough no matter what – nobody knows who the Houthis are – which is why we would need to stay focused on: 1) Biden failed & 2) Iran funded.

“Waiting a few weeks or a month does not fundamentally change the calculus. 2 immediate risks on waiting: 1) this leaks, and we look indecisive; 2) Israel takes an action first – or Gaza cease fire falls apart – and we don’t get to start this on our own terms. We can manage both.

“We are prepared to execute, and if I had final go or no go vote, I believe we should. This [is] not about the Houthis. I see it as two things: 1) Restoring Freedom of Navigation, a core national interest; and 2) Reestablish deterrence, which Biden cratered. But, we can easily pause. And if we do, I will do all we can to enforce 100% OPSEC – operations security.

“I welcome other thoughts.”

Later in the conversation, Mr Waltz criticised the limited capabilities of European navies, writing: “Whether it’s now or several weeks from now, it will have to be the United States that reopens these shipping lanes. Per the president’s request we are working with DOD and State to determine how to compile the cost associated and levy them on the Europeans.”

Mr Vance addressed Mr Hegseth in a message reading: “If you think we should do it let’s go. I just hate bailing Europe out again.”

Mr Hegseth replied: “VP: I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. It’s PATHETIC. But Mike is correct, we are the only ones on the planet (on our side of the ledger) who can do this. Nobody else even close. Question is timing. I feel like now is as good a time as any, given POTUS directive to reopen shipping lanes. I think we should go; but POTUS still retains 24 hours of decision space.”

An account believed to be the deputy White House chief of staff, Stephen Miller, then said: “As I heard it, the president was clear: green light, but we soon make clear to Egypt and Europe what we expect in return. We also need to figure out how to enforce such a requirement. EG, if Europe doesn’t remunerate, then what? If the US successfully restores freedom of navigation at great cost there needs to be some further economic gain extracted in return.”

This was followed by the last text of the day, from Mr Hegseth, who wrote at 9.46am: “Agree.”

Saturday 15 March

At 11.44am, Mr Hegseth posted in Signal a “TEAM UPDATE”.

The Atlantic initially opted not to share what the update said, with Mr Goldberg writing in his article: “The information contained in them, if they had been read by an adversary of the United States, could conceivably have been used to harm American military and intelligence personnel, particularly in the broader Middle East, Central Command’s area of responsibility.”

But in a follow-up article published on Wednesday, The Atlantic shared more of the conversation from Saturday, including the team update.

It came after the White House had sought to downplay the leak of information about plans to strike Houthi rebels in Yemen – saying no classified information had been disclosed.

The text under Mr Hegseth’s “TEAM UPDATE” message read: “TIME NOW (1144et): Weather is FAVORABLE. Just CONFIRMED w/CENTCOM [Centcom – or Central Command – is the military’s combatant command for the Middle East] we are a GO for mission launch.”

The text continued: “1215et: F-18s LAUNCH (1st strike package).

“1345: ‘Trigger Based’ F-18 1st Strike Window Starts (Target Terrorist is @ his Known Location so SHOULD BE ON TIME – also, Strike Drones Launch (MQ-9s)”.

Further texts by the Pentagon chief followed, the magazine reported: “1410: More F-18s LAUNCH (2nd strike package)”.

“1415: Strike Drones on Target (THIS IS WHEN THE FIRST BOMBS WILL DEFINITELY DROP, pending earlier ‘Trigger Based’ targets).”

He also wrote: “1536 F-18 2nd Strike Starts – also, first sea-based Tomahawks launched.” And then: “MORE TO FOLLOW (per timeline)”.

“We are currently clean on OPSEC” (operational security), he added.

“Godspeed to our Warriors.”

Mr Goldberg said the only person to respond to Mr Hegseth was Mr Vance, who wrote: “I will say a prayer for victory”, along with two prayer emojis.

He said it was at this point that he sat in his car in a supermarket car park, waiting to see if Houthi targets would be bombed.

At 1.48pm, Mr Waltz provided an update, which Mr Goldberg initially did not quote in full.

But in the second article, The Atlantic shared the message, which contained real-time intelligence about conditions at an attack site, apparently in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital city.

It read: “VP. Building collapsed. Had multiple positive ID. Pete, Kurilla, the IC, amazing job.”

The Atlantic reported that Mr Waltz was referring to Mr Hegseth, General Michael E. Kurilla, the commander of Central Command and the intelligence community, or IC.

It said the reference to “multiple positive ID” suggested that US intelligence had confirmed the identities of the Houthi target, or targets.

At 1.54pm, Mr Vance responded to Mr Waltz’s message saying “What?” – apparently confused by its contents.

Mr Goldberg said it was at around 1.55pm that he went on X and searched Yemen, and saw reports of explosions being heard across Sanaa.

At 2pm, Mr Waltz responded on the group saying: “Typing too fast. The first target – their top missile guy – we had positive ID of him walking into his girlfriend’s building and it’s now collapsed.”

A minute later, Mr Vance wrote back: “Excellent”.

35 minutes after, John Ratcliffe wrote: “A good start.”

Mr Goldberg said Mr Waltz responded with three emojis: a fist, an American flag and fire.

Later that afternoon, Mr Hegseth posted: “CENTCOM was/is on point. Great job all. More strikes ongoing for hours tonight, and will provide full initial report tomorrow. But on time, on target, and good readouts so far.”

Others soon joined in, including Mr Rubio, who wrote, “Good Job Pete and your team!!,” and Susie Wiles, who texted: “Kudos to all – most particularly those in theater and CENTCOM! Really great. God bless.”

Mr Witkoff responded with five emojis: two hands-praying, a flexed bicep, and two American flags.

Tulsi Gabbard responded: “Great work and effects!”

Mr Goldberg said the after-action discussion included assessments of damage done, including the likely death of a specific individual – he did not say who.

This is a hugely significant moment. For the first time in more than three years, Washington is lifting sanctions on Moscow instead of imposing them.

It’s the most tangible evidence yet of a US-Russia rapprochement, and a crystal clear signal of Donald Trump’s intentions to turn Vladimir Putin the pariah into Putin the partner.

For now, they’re only talking about easing a handful of restrictions so that Russia’s agricultural and fertiliser exports can return to global markets.

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It’s important to point out that Russian food and fertiliser have, in fact, always been exempt from Western sanctions, but exports were disrupted by Russian banks’ exclusion from the SWIFT global payments system.

It has meant higher fees and delays in payments, even when it comes to cross-border trade with friendly nations.

That’s why Moscow wants sanctions to be lifted on Rosselkhozbank – the state-owned Russian agriculture bank – and for it to be reconnected to SWIFT.

One could argue that it’s just one brick in what is still a whole wall of sanctions surrounding Russia. But its removal will nevertheless be massively symbolic.

Ukraine’s Western allies were in lockstep when they built that wall – now its powerful supporter is starting the process of bringing it down.

What’s more, there’ll be fears that Moscow could abuse America’s charity here, particularly when it comes to one of the Kremlin’s other demands – lifting restrictions on the supply of agricultural machinery to Russia.

Read more from Sky News:
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Restrictions were imposed on agricultural machinery due to some components being classified as ‘dual-use’ goods, which could potentially aid Russia’s war machine.

What’s to say these fears won’t be realised? That parts meant for tractors and harvesters suddenly find their way into weapon production? Washington might be happy to take Moscow’s word for it, but Kyiv certainly won’t be.

Perhaps the most galling thing for Ukraine and its European allies, however, will be that Mr Putin appears to have secured this without giving up very much at all.

Yes, Russia has agreed to a maritime ceasefire. But it’s a long way short of a full ceasefire, and it’s something that was first agreed back in July 2022 with the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Russia withdrew from that deal in 2023, unhappy at the obstacles facing its food and fertiliser exports – sound familiar?

Since then, attacks in the Black Sea have dropped off significantly. In fact, Ukrainian grain exports are pretty much back at pre-war levels already.

So, a maritime ceasefire may not actually make that much of a difference to the conflict itself. The bigger impact will be in Washington and Moscow.

For Mr Trump, it’s something to show off – proof that he’s taken a step closer to peace.

For Mr Putin, it’s Russia’s first step coming back in from the cold.

The United States appears to be significantly increasing its military presence in the Middle East with the deployment of highly sophisticated aircraft and a second aircraft carrier to the region.

In recent days, at least five B-2 stealth bombers have deployed to Diego Garcia, a British military base used by the US in the Indian Ocean. More are reportedly en route.

Seven C17 aircraft have also been tracked landing on the remote atoll, suggesting transportation of equipment, personnel and supplies, and refuelling aircraft have been repositioned to strategic locations.

The Pentagon recently ordered the USS Harry S Truman carrier strike group to extend its deployment in the Red Sea by a month, and a second strike group, led by the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier, is heading for the Middle East.

Both groups have support ships, including destroyers, as part of the group.

It is an unusual surge in military assets and an indication, perhaps, that the US is planning heavy strikes on the Houthis in Yemen and possibly looking to send a strong message to Iran.

The Houthis, an Islamist group that controls a large part of Yemen, including the capital Sana’a, have repeatedly attacked Red Sea shipping and Israel during the war in Gaza.

Those attacks stopped while the ceasefire was in force but have restarted following a resumption of Israeli military operations in Gaza.

The Houthis have vowed to strike Israel’s Ben Gurion airport and have fired ballistic missiles towards Israel on an almost daily basis in recent weeks, triggering air raid sirens in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

They claimed to have launched drones at Israel on Tuesday night, but the Israeli military hasn’t confirmed that.

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The Trump administration has launched attacks against the Houthis to restore freedom of shipping in the Red Sea, a crucial waterway for global commerce as it’s linked to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal.

The first wave of those attacks was the subject of a major security breach when a journalist was mistakenly included in discussions between senior US government personnel on the messaging app Signal.

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has promised to continue striking the Houthis for as long as it takes, and President Trump has warned Iran he might be forced to take military action against their nuclear facilities if Tehran doesn’t agree to talks.