US Rules Out Imminent Houthi Strikes, Offers Saudi Arabia Intelligence Support
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — WEB DESK: The United States has signalled that it does not plan imminent direct military strikes against Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis, even as Washington increases intelligence and targeting assistance for Saudi Arabia amid a sharp escalation in fighting around Yemen and the Red Sea.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with US President Donald Trump twice on Thursday and requested American military assistance against the Houthis, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Trump declined to launch direct US strikes, Reuters reported.
US officials said Washington does not intend to take direct military action against the Houthis at this time, but the administration is increasing support for Riyadh through intelligence sharing and targeting assistance.
The distinction is significant: the United States is supporting Saudi military operations but is seeking, for now, to avoid opening another direct American combat front in Yemen.
US officials have told Saudi counterparts that Trump’s priority is to keep American forces focused on the conflict with Iran and on safeguarding shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported, citing the earlier account.
Saudi Arabia Sought US Military Assistance
The Saudi request comes amid a rapid deterioration in regional security.
Houthi forces have stepped up attacks on Saudi territory and recently made major advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coastline. The group has captured the strategic port of Mocha and reached Perim, or Mayun Island, in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, strengthening its position around one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.
Reuters reported that Iranian arms and advice played an important role in the Houthi offensive along Yemen’s western coast, citing Yemeni, Iranian and regional sources. Tehran publicly denies directing Houthi military operations.
The escalating threat prompted Saudi Arabia to seek greater US assistance. However, Washington’s response has so far remained limited to intelligence and related military support rather than direct strikes.
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, also travelled to Saudi Arabia for urgent coordination talks as Washington and Riyadh assessed the rapidly changing security situation.
Red Sea and Saudi Oil Security Under Pressure
The stakes have risen further following attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia has shut its strategically important East-West oil pipeline following a drone attack. The pipeline can transport around 4 million to 5 million barrels per day, making it particularly important at a time when shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is already severely disrupted.
Saudi crude supply has also fallen sharply. The International Energy Agency estimated Saudi crude supply at about 6 million barrels per day in August, its lowest level in more than three decades, amid attacks affecting energy infrastructure and shipping.
The Houthi advance around Bab al-Mandab therefore poses risks well beyond Yemen. Disruption at both Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab could place additional pressure on global oil supplies, shipping costs and energy prices.
Washington Seeks to Avoid Another Front
Trump’s refusal to immediately strike the Houthis indicates that Washington is trying to prevent the widening regional conflict from drawing US forces into another direct theatre of combat.
That position could change if the security environment deteriorates further, but the available reporting provides no evidence that an imminent US attack on Houthi targets has been authorised.
For now, Washington’s approach combines military intelligence support for Saudi Arabia with an effort to keep direct US combat operations concentrated on Iran and maritime security around Hormuz.
The situation remains highly fluid as Saudi Arabia weighs its response to Houthi attacks and advances while the United States attempts to balance support for its Gulf ally against the risk of a wider Middle East war.
