Senior US national security officials held an unannounced meeting at Camp David on Friday to discuss the ongoing conflict with Iran and developments involving Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in Yemen, according to Axios.
The closed-door meeting was chaired by Vice President JD Vance and continued for several hours. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, US special envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine were among the officials who took part.
The meeting came at a sensitive point in the US-Iran conflict, as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran remained stalled. According to Axios, US officials discussed possible next steps, including the possibility of renewed major military operations against Iran.
The discussions also focused on the situation in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia is preparing a major operation against the Houthi movement. Riyadh has asked Washington to provide direct military support, including airstrikes, but the United States has so far stopped short of committing to direct combat involvement.
US officials have said Washington is providing other forms of assistance, including intelligence and targeting information. However, the US position could change if the situation on the ground develops differently, according to Axios.
The Camp David meeting also took place as the United States prepared to increase its military presence in the Middle East. Reports indicate that another aircraft carrier strike group and additional Marine forces could be deployed to the region, although the exact timing and size of any deployment can change.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has publicly indicated that he is considering his next steps regarding Iran. However, the Camp David meeting itself does not mean that a new military operation has been officially ordered.
The discussions highlight the growing complexity of the regional situation, with the Iran conflict, the Strait of Hormuz and the fighting in Yemen increasingly connected to wider security concerns in the Middle East.
For now, Washington continues to face a choice between diplomatic efforts with Iran and possible further military action, while Saudi Arabia prepares for its own campaign against the Houthis. The outcome of these discussions could influence the next phase of the regional crisis.