Washington: The Atlantic magazine has published a leaked group chat among senior U.S. national security officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, revealing military strikes in Yemen. This disclosure occurred before the pilots had even taken off to execute the bombings.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the plan detailed precise information concerning weapons packages, targets, and timing, which officials had shared via the Signal messaging app. This sensitive information was accidentally sent to Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic. Goldberg reported, "The world found out shortly before 2 p.m. eastern time on March 15 that the U.S. was bombing Houthi targets across Yemen. I, however, knew two hours before the first bombs exploded because Hegseth had texted me the war plan at 11:44 a.m."

Although Goldberg's article mentioned F-18 launches and strikes, it refrained from listing exact targets in Yemen, as noted by NBC News. The leak has sparked significant concern, as both intelligence and defense departments are struggling to explain how such sensitive and classified data were disclosed through an unclassified chat.

According to The Atlantic, the Trump administration attempted to downplay the significance of these texts, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt asserting that no classified material was shared in the conversation. However, the use of Signal, a messaging app generally not deemed secure enough for national security matters, raises questions about the administration's communication protocols.

During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe pointed out that it was the responsibility of the defense secretary to determine the classification of his posts. Hegseth has thus far avoided questions on whether he posted classified information, maintaining that he did not share any war plans. Nonetheless, the chat revealed details such as the types of warplanes used and the timing of airstrikes against Yemen, raising significant concerns about security protocols within the Trump administration.

The revelation has led Congress to call for the full exchange of messages to be made public, expressing doubts about the Trump administration's handling of critical issues. The National Security Council is investigating how Goldberg gained access to the chat, which included prominent figures such as Vice President J.D. Vance and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz. Critics are demanding accountability, with some legislators even calling for resignations.