Top U.S. national security officials held a secret meeting at Camp David on October 2, presided over by Vice President JD Vance to discuss stalled negotiations with Iran and a potential Saudi-backed offensive in Yemen, Axios reported.
Inside the Secret Camp David Strategy Session
The unannounced meeting at the presidential retreat brought together top foreign policy and defense chiefs to evaluate ongoing military and diplomatic options in the Middle East. According to Axios, participants included 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.
“Things were decided or at least deeply discussed,” one U.S. official told Axios regarding the crisis.
The White House declined to comment on the gathering. However, reporting from Axios noted the extreme rarity of unannounced leadership summits at Camp David. A similar closed-door huddle occurred in June 2025, just days before Israel launched military operations against Iranian nuclear facilities in the 12-day war.
Trump Rejects Iran Peace Proposals and Threatens Regime
The clandestine meeting coincides with a breakdown in diplomatic channels between Washington and Tehran. Last month, Iran proposed a seven-day plan that included reopening the Strait of Hormuz to restart peace talks, a proposal President Trump rejected. Subsequent mediated proposals through Qatar also stalled.
President Trump escalated his rhetoric, telling reporters, “Now I have to make a decision: either Iran signs the deal, or it won’t exist any longer.”
When asked about his immediate plans for Iran while his advisers met at Camp David on Friday, President Trump told reporters, “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 renewed military posturing also carries domestic political weight as the U.S. approaches the midterm elections, with the administration facing public pressure over rising fuel prices tied to the prolonged conflict.
Saudi Pressure Over Yemen and Houthi Rebels
Alongside discussions on Iran, the Camp David attendees addressed mounting pressure from Saudi Arabia regarding the conflict in Yemen. Riyadh has urged the United States to join a planned offensive against Houthi rebels, requesting direct U.S. airstrikes to counter Houthi gains near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
U.S. officials indicated that while President Trump has leaned against direct military involvement in Yemen, his position remains fluid and subject to change based on evolving regional security assessments.
Key Questions Surrounding the Summit
Who attended the Camp David meeting?
Vice President JD Vance chaired the meeting, joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, according to Axios.
Why did President Trump reject Iran’s recent proposal?
Iran proposed a seven-day plan centered on reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifted maritime blockades and sanctions, but the Trump administration rejected the terms, with U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz criticizing the offer as demanding everything upfront.
What similar meeting preceded this gathering?
A comparable high-level strategy session took place at Camp David in June 2025, occurring just days before Israel launched military strikes against Iranian nuclear sites, initiating the 12-day war.
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