Saudi Crown Prince Urges Trump to Strike Houthis as Red Sea Tensions Rise
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged US President Donald Trump to strike the Houthis after key Red Sea advances, but Trump declined, offering intelligence support instead amid rising oil prices.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman twice called US President Donald Trump on Thursday, urging him to launch military strikes against the Houthis, but Trump declined the request, according to a report by Axios citing two US officials.
The phone calls followed dramatic developments in Yemen, where Houthi forces seized strategic islands in the Red Sea, captured a nearby port city, and raised international concerns over a potential blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a vital global shipping lane.
US Stance and Regional Coordination
While declining direct military intervention, US officials stated that Washington plans to provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence and targeting data. Approximately 200 US military personnel are already stationed in Saudi Arabia to provide non-combat support. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), arrived in Saudi Arabia for urgent coordination meetings.
A senior Trump administration official emphasized that Washington's priority is keeping the Red Sea open while empowering regional partners. "The United States is focused on defending its core national security interests—such as ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea—while empowering our regional partners to lead in managing and resolving regional security challenges," the official said.
Escalation in the Red Sea
Conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis reignited in July after Riyadh blocked an Iranian aircraft carrying Houthi officials from landing in Sanaa following the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Houthi forces subsequently launched attacks on Saudi oil tankers and energy facilities, prompting Saudi airstrikes and ground operations.
The situation sharply deteriorated as Houthi forces advanced toward the port city of Mocha and seized control of Perim Island and parts of the Hanish Islands near the Bab el-Mandeb strait. The strategic chokepoint has gained even greater economic importance since Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the year.
The escalating tensions drove a further 5% surge in crude oil prices, with Brent crude reaching $106 per barrel. Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry called for an immediate renewal of dialogue based on agreed roadmaps for Yemen.
