Camp David huddle: Trump team discusses Iran war, possible Yemen offensive

On Friday, US President Donald Trump convened a secret meeting at Camp David with his top national security aides to discuss the ongoing war with Iran and the Saudi-backed offensive against Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to three US officials speaking to Axios. The meeting, chaired by Vice President Kamala Harris, brought together key figures including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, White House envoy Stephen Wynn, CIA Director Avril Haines, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley.

The discussions came as Trump weighed the future of the US campaign against Iran, with negotiations with Tehran stalled. On Thursday, Trump had warned that if Iran did not sign an agreement, the US would not hesitate to resume major combat operations. However, he declined to comment on his next move during a press conference in the aftermath of the Camp David meeting, stating, "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 talks also addressed the escalating conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Saudi Arabia has been urging the US to support a potential offensive against the Houthis with US airstrikes, although Trump has been hesitant to join the operation. Despite this, US officials indicated that the President could reconsider his stance in light of the recent discussions at Camp David.

The Camp David meeting was particularly noteworthy, as such high-level discussions are rare, with the last similar gathering occurring in June of the previous year, just days before Israel launched a military operation against Iran.