Top Trump Security Advisers Hold Private Camp David Meeting on Iran, Houthi Conflict

President Donald Trump’s top foreign-policy and national-security advisers held a private meeting at Camp David to discuss responses to the war involving Iran and clashes between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Axios, citing three U.S. officials, reported on October 2 that the meeting was held for several hours the previous day at the presidential retreat. Vice President JD Vance is said to have chaired the session, and the Trump administration did not publicly disclose that it took place.

Attendees 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.” No details of any decisions were made public.

Axios described the meeting as unusual. The last similar gathering took place in June 2025, just days before Israel entered a war with Iran. It remains unclear 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 U.S. to join airstrikes against the Houthi rebels, but Trump has taken a reluctant stance on that request.

Asked by reporters on the afternoon of October 2 about possible responses to Iran while his aides 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.