Senior U.S. national security officials held a secret meeting at Camp David on Friday, to discuss potential military actions against Iran and Saudi Arabia’s plans to strike Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to multiple U.S. officials. The closed-door discussions, chaired by Vice President JD Vance, involved key figures including CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.
The meeting, which lasted several hours, focused on the stalled negotiations with Iran and the escalating conflict in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia is preparing a major offensive against Houthi rebels. Officials said things were decided or at least deeply discussed
during the session, though the White House declined to comment.
Trump Weighs Combat Operations Against Iran
The meeting was led by Vice President JD Vance, with participation from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine. The discussions came as President Donald Trump weighed whether to resume major combat operations against Iran following stalled negotiations. Trump warned, Now I have to make a decision: either Iran signs the deal, or it won’t exist any longer.
The gathering also addressed Saudi Arabia’s push for U.S. support in a potential airstrike campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Saudi Arabia has been urging Washington to join its efforts, though Trump has so far been reluctant. The meeting marked a rare high-level session at Camp David, with the last such gathering occurring in June 2025, days before Israel’s war with Iran began.
On Thursday, Trump issued a stark warning over Iran negotiations, saying: Now I have to make a decision: either Iran signs the deal, or it won’t exist any longer.
He was asked about his next move on Iran on Friday afternoon while his advisers met at Camp David, responding: 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.
Iran’s Economic Crisis and U.S. Pressure
While the Camp David meeting centered on military strategy, Iran’s economic turmoil remained a critical backdrop. The rial fell to a record low, with year-on-year inflation reaching nearly 90%. U.S. sanctions and a naval blockade have exacerbated the crisis, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claiming the pressure campaign is working.
According to the Statistical Center of Iran, annual inflation reached 73.6%, with year-on-year inflation rising to a record 89.8%. Food and beverage prices have risen substantially faster than overall inflation, hitting lower-income households particularly hard. Officials wrote that the damage caused by misguided economic policies is far greater than that caused by sanctions and the naval blockade, though they acknowledged reforms could mitigate the situation.
US Expands Military Presence as Saudi Arabia Targets Houthis
The meeting coincided with reports of a U.S. military buildup in the Middle East. The Wall Street Journal highlighted the potential for a major naval expansion, including three aircraft carriers, to enhance operational flexibility. This move comes as Saudi Arabia prepares a large-scale operation against Houthi forces, with Yemeni troops expected to conduct ground operations supported by Saudi air strikes.
Saudi Arabia seeks U.S. strikes against Houthis. A significant military campaign against Houthi forces in Yemen is being prepared by Saudi Arabia, which is urging Washington to participate via airstrikes, according to Axios. The Houthis, a rebel group that has been fighting Yemen’s government forces since 2014, have expanded their influence near the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb, the Red Sea’s main maritime channel.
Trump’s administration faces pressure to balance its stance on Iran with its relationship with Saudi Arabia. While the president has resisted direct involvement in the Yemen conflict, officials suggested he could still change his position. The gathering highlighted the administration’s dual challenges: managing a stalled Iran deal and the complexities of the Saudi-Houthi conflict.
On October 2, a military spokesperson for Yemen’s internationally recognized government reported 20 strikes targeting Houthi movements, personnel, vehicles, and military equipment in Taiz province. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that Iran proposed political engagement with the Houthis instead of military action, a concept that Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan plan to address at a special meeting in Riyadh next week.