Trump Rejects Saudi Request for Houthi Strikes

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged U.S. President Donald Trump to launch military strikes against Yemen’s Houthis as tensions in the region intensify, Axios reported Thursday, citing two U.S. officials.

According to the report, Mohammed bin Salman called Trump twice on Thursday to press for U.S. action against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement. Trump rejected the request, with American officials indicating that Washington currently has no plans to directly attack the group.

Reuters was unable to independently confirm the Axios report. The White House and Saudi Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside regular business hours.

The reported discussions come as the United States grows increasingly concerned about the escalating Yemen conflict and continued Houthi activity in the Red Sea. Washington is reportedly increasing support for Saudi Arabia while attempting to avoid opening another direct military front.

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, traveled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for urgent coordination talks, Axios reported.

U.S. military and civilian officials have also informed Saudi counterparts in recent weeks that Trump wants American forces concentrated on Iran and the protection of the Strait of Hormuz. The administration is seeking to avoid diverting military resources toward a separate campaign against the Houthis, according to Axios.

Saudi Arabia has meanwhile been working to strengthen international cooperation against threats to Red Sea shipping. Reuters reported in July that Riyadh was seeking to establish an international coalition aimed at protecting commercial vessels from Houthi attacks.

Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis intensified in early July. The Yemeni group said its forces confronted Saudi “warplanes” that were allegedly attempting to stop an Iranian civilian aircraft from landing at Sanaa International Airport.

The latest developments highlight the growing risk that the Yemen conflict and Houthi attacks could further complicate regional security as U.S. forces remain focused on Iran and safeguarding critical shipping routes.