Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly called US President Donald Trump twice on Thursday, urging him to launch strikes against the Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen as the group advanced toward a critical Red Sea shipping chokepoint.
According to two US officials cited by Axios, Trump declined the request. US officials also stressed that Washington currently has no plans for direct military intervention against the Houthis.
The development comes as the conflict in Yemen intensifies and the Houthis move closer to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is a crucial route for international shipping — including Saudi oil exports.
The Houthis' seizure of a strategic coastal city has pushed the group closer to the waterway. Oil prices surged amid fears that the escalating conflict could threaten another major global shipping route.
The situation is particularly sensitive because Iran is already disrupting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Houthi control or disruption around Bab al-Mandab could therefore give Tehran and its allies another major pressure point against the US and Gulf states.
The Saudi-Houthi confrontation reignited in July after Riyadh blocked an Iranian aircraft carrying senior Houthi officials from landing in Sanaa.
Saudi Arabia subsequently launched strikes against Houthi positions, while the Houthis retaliated by attacking Saudi tankers in the Red Sea and later targeting Saudi energy infrastructure.
But Riyadh's latest request marks a significant change.
In July, Saudi Arabia had told Washington that it could handle the Houthi threat itself. Now, with Houthi forces advancing and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces retreating, Riyadh is seeking greater American support.
According to US officials, MBS first called Trump to brief him on the deteriorating situation as Houthi forces advanced on the coastal city of Mokha.
Several hours later, MBS called again — this time urging Trump to order US strikes against the Houthis.
Trump declined.
The Trump administration appears determined to avoid opening another direct military front.
US officials have told Saudi counterparts that Trump's directive is to keep American forces focused on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, rather than becoming directly involved in another escalating conflict in Yemen.
Washington's stated priority is keeping the Red Sea open and protecting freedom of navigation, while allowing regional partners to take the lead in the wider conflict.
For now, that leaves Saudi Arabia facing a growing Houthi threat while the US provides intelligence and other support — but stops short of dropping bombs.
And with Hormuz already under pressure and Bab al-Mandab increasingly threatened, the stakes aren't limited to Yemen or Saudi Arabia.
They could hit the global economy, oil prices and one of the world's busiest shipping networks.
Source: Axios