US President Donald Trump’s top national security officials held an unannounced meeting at Camp David on Friday to discuss the wars in Iran and Yemen, according to Axios, citing three US officials familiar with the meeting.
The closed-door consultations lasted several hours and focused on key decisions concerning the escalating Middle East crisis, including Trump’s options as negotiations with Iran remain stalled and Saudi Arabia presses Washington for military support against the Houthis.
Vice President JD Vance chaired the meeting, according to Axios. The gathering was not publicly announced by the Trump administration.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine also participated in the discussions.
One US official told Axios that “things were decided or at least deeply discussed” during the meeting, referring to the broader Middle East crisis.
The White House declined to comment on the reported meeting.
Trump weighs next steps in Iran war
The Camp David meeting comes as Trump considers whether to resume major military operations against Iran following stalled negotiations.
Trump said on Thursday that he faced a decision over whether Iran would agree to a deal, while indicating that the alternative could have serious consequences for Tehran.
Asked by reporters on Friday about his next move on Iran, while his advisers were meeting at Camp David, Trump said: “If I told you, you would have a major story. But you will see. It is working out very well. Iran is not doing well.”
The remarks came as the White House considers its options amid continued uncertainty over the outcome of negotiations with Tehran.
Saudi Arabia seeks US strikes against Houthis
The meeting also comes as Saudi Arabia prepares a major military operation against Houthi forces in Yemen and is urging Washington to participate through airstrikes, according to Axios.
Saudi Arabia is considering military action against the Houthis after the group’s recent advances and attacks, while Yemeni forces are expected to conduct ground operations with Saudi air support.
Trump has so far been leaning against directly joining the Saudi campaign, but US officials cited by Axios said he could change his position.
The Saudi request adds another major military issue to the administration’s deliberations as Washington simultaneously considers its approach to Iran.
US military activity in Middle East expands
The Camp David meeting follows reports that the US military is preparing to increase its presence in the Middle East.
The Pentagon is reportedly sending a third aircraft carrier strike group and additional Marine ships to the region. The Wall Street Journal reported that as many as 10,000 additional US troops could be deployed by the end of November.
The Washington Post also reported that the US military was considering a major expansion of its naval presence, potentially including three aircraft carriers and accompanying warships to provide greater operational flexibility.
The gathering was notable because it was held secretly and was not announced by the Trump administration.
According to Axios, the last similar high-level Camp David meeting took place in June 2025, shortly before Israel went to war with Iran.
The latest meeting brought together senior officials responsible for diplomacy, defence, intelligence and military operations as the administration faces simultaneous developments involving Iran and the Saudi-Houthi conflict in Yemen.
For now, the administration has not publicly disclosed what decisions, if any, were taken at Camp David.
