Inside the Room Where It Happened: White House Releases Rare Photos of Trump During Iran Strike

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House has released a striking set of images offering a rare peek inside one of the most secretive places in American government: the Situation Room. The photos, shared Saturday on the White House’s official X account, show former President Donald Trump and his top advisers as they authorized and monitored a high-stakes military strike on three Iranian nuclear enrichment sites.

The mood is intense, the room austere — and front and center is Trump, unmistakable in his bright red “Make America Great Again” hat.

A Glimpse Behind Closed Doors

Any time photos emerge from inside the Situation Room, public curiosity spikes. It’s a space shrouded in secrecy — famously captured in that unforgettable 2011 image of President Barack Obama and his team watching the raid on Osama bin Laden.

This time, the images spotlight a different moment in history, with Trump surrounded by his closest advisers:

• Vice President JD Vance
• Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio
• White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
• Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine

They’re gathered in the “JFK Room,” the main conference area in the Situation Room complex — named for President John F. Kennedy, who oversaw its creation during the Cold War.

Vance and Rubio: Key Voices in the Room

In several shots, Vance and Rubio are seated closest to Trump, signaling just how central they were in shaping the days-long deliberations over whether to strike Iran. The decision clearly wasn’t taken lightly.

Other photos show Trump in motion, walking behind aides, standing over shoulders, and listening intently. In one frame, he stands as Gen. Caine appears to be briefing him. In others, his national security team is frozen in concentration — some watching screens, others gesturing mid-discussion.

The Details in the Background

It’s not just the people that catch the eye. The table is cluttered with the usual war-room essentials: thick binders, colorful highlighters, half-empty water bottles, and disposable cups stamped with the White House seal.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe sits nearby, papers spread before him — although much of his material is visibly blurred, likely for security reasons.

Also spotted:

• Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, never far from Trump
• White House Counsel David Warrington, seen in the background of one image

Even those not considered senior principals had a seat at the table for this mission.

A New Situation Room for a New Era

Notably, this is not the same Situation Room Trump used during his first term. The complex, located in the West Wing’s ground floor, recently underwent a sweeping $50 million renovation completed in 2023. The upgrade modernized both the infrastructure and security, reflecting the growing complexity of global threats.

A Carefully Curated Glimpse

These photos serve a dual purpose: documentation and messaging. They aim to project decisiveness, coordination, and strength — offering the public a controlled, behind-the-scenes view of a consequential moment.

But above all, they remind us of the gravity of that room — where history is often made quietly, behind closed doors.