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Top Trump Officials Hold Unannounced Camp David Meeting on Iran, Yemen
Vice President JD Vance chaired the hours-long meeting as Washington weighs renewed combat operations against Iran and a possible role in Saudi Arabia’s campaign against the Houthis.
- Shlomo Hodges
- | Updated
IllustrationSenior members of US President Donald Trump’s national security team held an unannounced meeting at Camp David on Friday to discuss the conflict with Iran and the escalating fighting in Yemen, Axios reported.
Vice President JD Vance chaired the hours-long meeting, according to three US officials cited in the report. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House envoy Steve Witkoff attended. CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also took part.
The Trump administration did not publicly announce the gathering. The White House also declined to comment on the discussions.
One US official told Axios that participants made decisions or held in-depth discussions about the worsening crises in the Middle East. However, the report did not specify what decisions the officials reached.
The meeting comes as negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain stalled. Trump is considering whether to resume major US combat operations against Iran after rejecting Tehran’s latest proposal for ending the conflict.
Trump warned on Thursday that Iran must reach an agreement with Washington or face further consequences. The following day, reporters asked him what action he planned to take. He declined to reveal his plans and said the public would “see” what happens next.
At the same time, the administration is considering its response to the growing conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.
Saudi officials have urged Washington to participate in a planned military campaign against the Houthis, including through US airstrikes. Trump has so far leaned against direct American involvement, although US officials told Axios that his position could change.
The Camp David meeting was unusual because of both its secrecy and the senior officials involved. Axios noted that the last comparable gathering took place in June 2025, shortly before Israel entered a war with Iran.
