Top Trump Security Aides Hold Private Camp David Meeting on Iran War, Houthi Response
Summary
- Top US foreign-policy and national-security advisers met at Camp David to discuss responses to the Iran war and clashes involving the Houthi rebels.
- Axios said the private meeting was an unusual gathering similar to one held just before Israel's war with Iran.
- According to Axios, Trump is considering a resumption of large-scale combat operations against Iran and has shown reluctance toward a Saudi request for US participation in airstrikes.
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President Donald Trump's top foreign-policy and national-security advisers held a private meeting at Camp David to discuss the war with Iran and possible responses to the conflict involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi rebels.
Axios reported on October 2, citing three US officials, that the meeting was held for several hours the previous day at the presidential retreat. Vice President JD Vance chaired the session, according to the report. The Trump administration did not publicly announce that the meeting had taken place.
Those attending included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine. One official said that regarding the Middle East crisis, "some matters were decided, or at least discussed in depth." The specific decisions, if any, were not disclosed.
Axios described the gathering as unusual. It said the last similar meeting took place in June 2025, just days before Israel entered its war with Iran. It was not clear whether any new military operation was decided at this meeting.
The meeting came as negotiations with Iran have stalled. Axios reported that Trump is considering resuming large-scale combat operations against Iran. Saudi Arabia has asked the US to join airstrikes against the Houthi rebels, but Trump has shown reluctance to do so.
Asked by reporters on the afternoon of October 2 how he would respond to Iran while his advisers were meeting, Trump said, "If I say it, it will be huge news." He added, "You'll find out if you wait a little. Things are going very well. Iran is not in a good situation." The White House declined to comment on the private meeting.
