President Trump assembled top national security officials at the White House Situation Room on Saturday morning to confront a rapidly deteriorating standoff with Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz and stalled nuclear negotiations.
The emergency session included Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and envoy Steve Witkoff, according to U.S. officials. Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine also participated.
The timing is critical. A ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran expires in three days, with no new meeting scheduled between negotiators. Iran announced Saturday it had renewed closure of the strategic waterway and launched multiple attacks on vessels transiting the strait, escalating pressure on talks that Trump had suggested could yield a breakthrough "within a day or two" just hours earlier.
U.S. officials warned that without rapid progress, warfare could resume within days.
The negotiating puzzle
Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir mediated discussions between Washington and Tehran this week, with Trump speaking directly to Munir and Iranian officials by phone. The U.S. presented new proposals during those talks, and Iran's Supreme National Security Council said Saturday it is reviewing them but has not responded.
The renewal of the Hormuz crisis emerged after negotiators narrowed gaps on Iran's uranium enrichment levels and stockpiles of enriched uranium, suggesting progress on the nuclear side prompted Iranian escalation on the maritime front.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump dismissed Iran's blockade threat as a negotiating tactic. "They got a little cute," he said, adding that Iran "can't blackmail us." He suggested clarity on whether talks would advance could come by day's end.
The Situation Room meeting underscores the volatility surrounding efforts to resolve the conflict. The convergence of military leaders, diplomats, and intelligence officials signals the administration views the Hormuz closure not as posturing but as a genuine escalation that could derail fragile negotiations or trigger armed confrontation.
Exactly what Trump administration officials are prepared to concede or demand remains unclear. The presence of Vance, who is expected to lead the next negotiating round with Iran, suggests the administration is preparing for either breakthrough or breakdown in coming hours.
Author James Rodriguez: "Trump's gamble on quick Iranian deal just collided with reality, and his team's Saturday scramble shows the White House knows it."
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