Donald Trump Latest News: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly urged US President Donald Trump to authorise American strikes against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi forces as tensions intensified near the strategically important Bab al Mandab Strait, Axios reported, citing two US officials. According to the report, MBS spoke to Trump twice on Thursday, September 10, with the second call focused on a request for US military action against Houthi positions.
Donald Trump Latest News: MBS Calls Trump Twice Over Houthi Advance
According to Axios, Mohammed bin Salman first contacted Trump to brief him on the deteriorating situation as Houthi forces advanced towards the coastal city of Mokha and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces withdrew. Several hours later, the Saudi crown prince reportedly called Trump again and pressed the US president to authorise strikes against Houthi positions.
Trump is reported to have declined the request as Washington seeks to keep its military focus on Iran and the strategically important Strait of Hormuz rather than open another front in Yemen.
Donald Trump Latest News: Why Bab Al Mandab Strait Is Important
The reported Saudi request comes as Houthi forces move closer to the Bab al Mandab Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The waterway is an important route for international shipping and is also significant for Saudi Arabia’s oil exports.
The latest escalation has raised concerns about the security of shipping through the Red Sea, particularly as fighting between Houthi forces and Saudi-backed forces has intensified.
Donald Trump Latest News: Saudi Arabia Seeks More US Support Against Houthis
The latest appeal reportedly marks a change from Riyadh’s position in July, when Saudi officials told Washington that they could deal with the Houthi threat without direct US military involvement, Axios reported.
The confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis had intensified after Riyadh stopped an Iranian aircraft carrying senior Houthi officials from returning to Sanaa following the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Saudi Arabia later sought Trump’s political backing for a possible strike on Sanaa airport. At that time, Riyadh indicated that it did not require direct US military assistance, while Trump backed the Saudi position.
Donald Trump Latest News: US Keeps Military Focus On Iran And Strait Of Hormuz
US military and civilian officials have reportedly told their Saudi counterparts that Washington’s current directive is to keep American forces concentrated on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper also travelled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for urgent discussions, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Axios.
Washington is nevertheless expected to provide additional non-combat assistance to Riyadh. A US official told Axios that the administration would provide intelligence and targeting information concerning Houthi forces. Around 200 US military personnel are already stationed in Saudi Arabia to provide non-kinetic support, according to the report.
Donald Trump Latest News: US Wants Red Sea Open While Regional Partners Take Lead
A senior Trump administration official told Axios that Washington’s priority is protecting key US national security interests, including freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, while regional partners take the lead in dealing with wider security challenges.
The reported approach would allow the US to support Saudi Arabia through intelligence and other assistance without directly expanding American military operations against the Houthis.
Donald Trump Latest News: Pakistan Clarifies Position On Saudi Defence Pact
The developments also come as Pakistan clarified its position on possible military involvement against the Houthis. Pakistan is a treaty-bound ally of Saudi Arabia under the recently signed Mecca Pact defence agreement involving Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said Thursday that military action against the Houthis was not currently under discussion.
“There is no such thing under discussion right now,” Khan said, adding that Pakistan would act under the agreement if the time came.
Donald Trump Latest News: What Happens Next?
The reported Saudi request highlights growing concerns in Riyadh over the Houthi advance towards the Bab al Mandab Strait. However, according to Axios, Trump has so far declined to authorise direct US strikes against the Houthis, with Washington instead maintaining its focus on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. The situation remains fluid, and any further Houthi advances towards the Red Sea chokepoint could increase pressure on Saudi Arabia and the United States to respond.
