Trump holds secret meeting on Iran as war fears rise in West Asia; Tehran warns Europe

WASHINGTON: With diplomatic negotiations stalled, the United States is considering renewed military action against Iran. US President Donald Trump has also warned that Iran would face severe retaliation if it is established that Tehran was involved in the recent attack involving a FlyDubai flight.

A secret meeting of senior US national security officials was held at Camp David in Maryland on Friday to discuss the Iran war and the Saudi-Houthi conflict in Yemen. The meeting was chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance and was attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, according to Axios, citing three US officials. The meeting came amid stalled negotiations, as Trump considers whether to resume major combat operations against Iran. While the meeting was under way, Trump declined to give details when asked about his next move on Iran.

The US has been increasing its military presence in West Asia. However, current reporting indicates that any renewed major strikes could come after the November 3 midterm elections. Iran has stepped up its alertness in anticipation of possible US military action. Tehran has warned that it could deploy weapons that have not been used so far. Iran has also issued warnings concerning European locations that could facilitate US military operations.

Trump has warned that Iran would be hit hard if investigators establish a connection between Tehran and the FlyDubai incident. The Iranian connection has not been established and remains under investigation.

US boosts military presence

 The US has deployed two additional Patriot missile defence systems, one to Saudi Arabia and another to Qatar. The systems are intended to protect against aerial attacks and will be operated by US military personnel.

 The USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group is being deployed to the Middle East as part of a broader US military buildup. The Roosevelt departed San Diego on September 27. The US is also sending up to around 10,000 additional troops to the region.

The deployment could bring the number of US aircraft carrier strike groups in the region to three. Current plans involve the USS George Washington, USS George H.W. Bush and USS Theodore Roosevelt.

Indian sailors rescued

Five Indian nationals were rescued after the Kuwait-flagged oil tanker MT Kazimah III was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. The Indian Embassy in Muscat coordinated the rescue, and the five were safely brought ashore in Oman.

The identity and source of the projectile have not been established. The incident has therefore not been attributed to Iran. A separate tanker was also reported to have been struck by an unidentified projectile off Oman, with all crew members reported safe.

Trump withdraws diesel export threat

Trump has said the US will not impose a ban on diesel exports. His comments came after G7 countries agreed to release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude oil from emergency reserves through a coordinated release via the International Energy Agency. The release is to begin immediately and continue over four months, with a substantial diesel release frontloaded within the first 20 days.

The move came amid concerns over surging fuel prices and supply disruptions linked to the Iran war. Trump had earlier threatened to restrict US diesel exports to Europe, but later said the US would not proceed with the ban.