Trump rejects Saudi request to strike Houthis as group seizes strategic Red Sea city
President Donald Trump rejected a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for U.S. strikes on Yemen's Houthis shortly before the Iran-backed group seized a strategic coastal city near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key route for global trade and oil shipments.
Bin Salman called Trump twice on Thursday as Houthi forces advanced on the coastal city of Mokha and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces retreated, Axios reported, citing U.S. officials.
During the second call, the crown prince urged Trump to order U.S. strikes against the Houthis. Trump declined, and U.S. officials said the administration currently has no plans to intervene directly.
The Houthis later seized Mokha, bringing the group closer to the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Oil prices surged Thursday amid concerns over the escalation.
The development comes as Iran is already disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns that Tehran and its allies could gain leverage over two major waterways critical to global trade and energy supplies.
U.S. officials have told Saudi Arabia that Trump's priority is to keep American forces focused on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz and avoid opening another front, according to Axios.
Washington will, however, provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence and targeting data on the Houthis. About 200 U.S. military personnel are already in the kingdom providing non-kinetic support.
The commander of U.S. Central Command, Adm. Brad Cooper, also traveled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for urgent coordination meetings.
The latest Saudi-Houthi confrontation began in July after Riyadh prevented an Iranian plane carrying senior Houthi officials from landing in Sanaa. The Houthis subsequently attacked Saudi tankers and energy facilities, while Saudi Arabia and its Yemeni allies responded with airstrikes and ground offensives.