Trump’s security team holds surprise talks on Iran, Yemen

US President Donald Trump’s senior national security officials held an unannounced meeting at Camp David on Friday to discuss the ongoing conflict involving Iran and the escalating Saudi-Houthi tensions in Yemen, according to a report by Axios.

Vice President JD Vance led the hours-long closed-door session, which was attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, special envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine.

A US official said several issues were discussed in detail and that some matters were resolved during the meeting. The talks come as the Trump administration considers its next steps amid stalled negotiations with Iran.

The United States is reportedly preparing additional military deployments to the Middle East. The Pentagon is expected to send another aircraft carrier strike group, along with additional Marine vessels and as many as 10,000 personnel, according to The Wall Street Journal. The forces could arrive by the end of November.

Trump has previously indicated that he could consider renewed strikes against Iran after the US midterm elections in November if diplomatic efforts fail to produce an agreement.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has been seeking greater US involvement in possible air operations against the Houthis in Yemen. Riyadh is reportedly preparing for an offensive against the group, although Trump has so far shown reluctance to directly participate. US officials have said the administration could reconsider its position.

Tensions have also spread across the region. Iraqi cleric Ammar al-Hakim called for airports to be reopened for flights between Iran and Iraq and expressed support for the Iranian people amid mounting economic pressure.

In Saudi Arabia, flight disruptions were reported at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh following reported missile attacks, while explosions were also reported in the Asir region.

Saudi authorities separately said a projectile launched by the Houthis struck a school in Najran, causing material damage. Civil Defence teams responded to the incident, while officials said established emergency procedures had been followed.

Earlier, the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed three ballistic missiles launched towards Khamis Mushait in southern Saudi Arabia. The coalition has supported Yemen’s internationally recognised government in its conflict with the Houthis since 2015.

Maritime security was also affected when the master of a crude oil tanker reported that the vessel had been hit by an unidentified projectile about four nautical miles east of Oman, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations. All crew members were reported safe, with no environmental damage reported.

At the diplomatic level, Russia criticised Washington’s demand that Iran abandon its nuclear programme. Russia’s ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mikhail Ulyanov, said Iran has what he described as an “inalienable right” to pursue its nuclear programme.

Ulyanov also accused the US administration of relying on what he called incorrect assumptions about nuclear non-proliferation and the role of the IAEA. His comments came in response to US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, who accused Iran of violating international rules and enriching uranium to 60% without a credible civilian purpose.