Trump, Vance discuss Iran, Yemen with top security aides at secret Camp David meeting – Axios
Author:RhondaPublished:October 3, 2026
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA director John Ratcliffe, and Gen. Dan Caine all attended the meeting, according to Axios.
US Vice President JD Vance (L) welcomes US President Donald Trump to the stage on the second day of the 2026 Republican National Convention at the American Airlines Center on September 10, 2026 in Dallas, Texas.(photo credit: Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
ByJERUSALEM POST STAFFUpdated: US President Donald Trump attended a secret meeting on Iran and Yemen chaired by US Vice President JD Vance and attended by top administration national security aides at Camp David on Friday, Axios reported.
US 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 all attended the meeting, according to the report.
The report cited three US officials, who told Axios that “things were decided, or at least deeply discussed.”
The White House refused to respond to an Axios request for comment.
US, Saudi Arabia prepare for increased military activity in region
The high-level, closed-door meeting comes amid reports that both the US military and Saudi Arabia are preparing to step up military activity in the region.
A satellite imagery shows Bab el Mandeb Strait, as Iran threatens using Yemen’s Houthi allies to shut the Bab el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea Wednesday, 15th July 2026 (credit: NASA Worldview/Handout via REUTERS)The US military is considering a major expansion of its naval presence in the Middle East in the coming weeks, including the deployment of three aircraft carriers and accompanying warships to provide greater operational flexibility, The Washington Post reported Friday.
The report said the buildup could also include an additional 20,000 troops, on top of the roughly 50,000 already deployed in the region, as well as up to 150 fighter jets and additional destroyers to defend against missile attacks.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is considering a significant military offensive against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen aimed at breaking the group’s hold on key coastal areas and securing Red Sea shipping routes, Reuters reported Friday.
Saudi objective to regain control of Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait
The planned operation is intended to reverse gains made by the Houthis last month, when they advanced along the coast and seized control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, according to people familiar with the plans, including Gulf and Yemeni officials and Western diplomats.
The operation, which could be launched in the coming weeks, would be led on the ground by Yemeni forces overseen by Riyadh and supported by Saudi airstrikes, according to six people familiar with the preparations.
