Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman phoned President Trump twice urging strikes on the Houthi movement; Trump declined, Axios reported. U.S. officials say there is no plan for direct military action against the Houthis at this time. The U.S. is boosting support for Saudi Arabia while aiming to avoid opening another military front; CENTCOM's Admiral Brad Cooper flew to Saudi Arabia for urgent coordination. The recent escalation traces back to early July incidents involving an alleged confrontation over an Iranian civilian flight to Sanaa.
Trump Rejects Saudi Crown Prince’s Call To Strike Houthis, Seeks To Avoid New Military Front
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 18, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Sept 10 (Reuters) - Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman phoned U.S. President Donald Trump twice on Thursday, urging U.S. strikes against Yemen's Houthi movement, Axios reported, citing two U.S. officials. Trump declined the request, according to the report.
Axios said U.S. officials told reporters the administration does not intend to undertake direct military action against the Houthis at this time. Reuters could not immediately confirm Axios's account. The White House and the Saudi embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside regular business hours.
U.S. Response: Support Without Opening A New Front
The report says the United States is increasing support for Saudi Arabia while trying to avoid direct military involvement. U.S. military and civilian officials have told Saudi counterparts that President Trump’s directive is to keep American forces focused on Iran and on safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz rather than opening another military front.
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, traveled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for urgent coordination talks, Axios added.
Regional Tensions And Maritime Concerns
Reuters reported in July that Saudi Arabia is seeking to assemble an international coalition to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks as tensions around Yemen escalate. The most recent escalation traces back to early July, when the Houthis said their forces confronted Saudi "warplanes" that were attempting to prevent an Iranian civilian aircraft from landing at Sanaa International Airport.
Note: This account is based on an Axios report citing two U.S. officials; Reuters was unable to immediately verify the details.
(Reporting by Bipasha Dey in Bengaluru; Editing by Tom Hogue and Lincoln Feast.)
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