Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged President Donald Trump to authorize direct U.S. military strikes against Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen after the group seized critical coastal positions along the Bab al-Mandab Strait on Friday. Trump declined the request, opting instead to provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence and targeting support while avoiding direct U.S. involvement in the conflict.
Houthi Advances Trigger Regional Alarm
The Houthis, a Yemeni militant group aligned with Iran, captured the strategic island of Mayyun (Perim) and the coastal town of Dhubab after Yemeni government forces withdrew. The advances place the group in closer proximity to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a narrow maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Approximately 12% of global trade, including oil shipments, passes through the strait annually. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia view the Houthi gains as a direct threat to regional stability and global supply chains.
Trump Rejects Saudi Request for Direct Military Action
Multiple sources confirm that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made two separate calls to Trump on Thursday, urging U.S. airstrikes against Houthi positions. Trump declined both requests, according to Axios and other outlets citing unnamed U.S. officials. A senior Trump administration official stated that the U.S. remains focused on protecting core interests, such as ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, while empowering regional partners to lead in resolving the conflict.
The U.S. has committed to providing Saudi Arabia with intelligence, battlefield targeting data, and non-combat military support. Approximately 200 U.S. military personnel, including advisers and intelligence analysts, are currently stationed in Saudi Arabia to assist with operations. U.S. Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper traveled to Riyadh on Thursday for coordination talks with Saudi officials.
Saudi Arabia Builds Coalition Amid Escalating Threats
Saudi Arabia has intensified efforts to form an international coalition to counter Houthi advances, fearing potential Iranian retaliation if the group is directly targeted. A source familiar with the situation told CBS News that Saudi Arabia is concerned Iran may respond to Houthi strikes by escalating attacks against Saudi territory. The kingdom is seeking to mitigate this risk by rallying regional and international partners to share the burden of military and diplomatic pressure on the Houthis.
Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam stated that the group’s operations are defensive and would cease if Saudi-led airstrikes on Yemen ended. The Houthis have also claimed that Red Sea navigation remains open to all shipping companies except Saudi vessels, though their seizure of key ports has raised concerns about the strait’s security.
Background: Houthi Resurgence and Regional Tensions
The latest escalation follows months of intensified fighting between Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces and the Houthis, who have received increasing support from Iran. In July, Saudi officials asserted their ability to manage the Houthi threat independently, but recent advances have prompted a reevaluation. The Houthis have targeted Saudi oil facilities in recent weeks, including an attack on Tuesday that wounded 73 people.
The U.S. has historically prioritized countering Iran’s influence in the region and safeguarding critical shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz. While the Trump administration has ruled out direct military intervention in Yemen, it continues to provide logistical and intelligence support to Saudi Arabia to address the Houthi threat without expanding U.S. involvement in another conflict.
Ongoing Diplomatic and Military Coordination
U.S. and Saudi officials have emphasized the fluid nature of the situation, with ongoing discussions to balance military support with the risk of broader regional escalation. The joint command established in recent weeks between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia aims to coordinate responses to Houthi attacks while avoiding actions that could provoke a wider conflict. The White House has not publicly commented on the calls between Trump and the Saudi crown prince or whether additional U.S. military measures are under consideration.