Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appealed to President Donald Trump for American assistance against Yemen’s Iran aligned Houthi movement as the militant group increased pressure on shipping through the Red Sea, according to two sources familiar with the discussions.
Trump and the Saudi leader held at least two telephone conversations Thursday, the sources said.
The reported talks came as Riyadh faced a growing threat to a maritime corridor that has become increasingly important to Saudi oil exports.
Washington ultimately informed Saudi Arabia that direct American military action was not on the table for now, according to the sources.
However, the United States was prepared to support Saudi operations through intelligence sharing and targeting assistance.
That approach allows Trump to protect critical American interests without rushing United States forces into another regional fight.
It also places the immediate responsibility on capable regional partners instead of treating the American military as the world’s emergency response squad.
The White House did not directly answer a Reuters question about the reported calls.
A senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the United States remained in continuous communication with Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
“The United States is focused on protecting our core national security interests, such as ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, while empowering our regional partners to take the lead in managing and resolving regional security challenges,” the official said.
Saudi Arabia’s government media office did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the conversations.
Axios first reported that the crown prince had sought assistance from Trump.
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of United States Central Command, traveled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for discussions, according to two sources.
His visit highlighted the seriousness of the threat even as Washington stopped short of committing forces to direct combat.
The strategic concern centers on the Bab el Mandeb Strait, the narrow waterway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. Houthi control of that passage could give Iran another powerful lever over global commerce and energy supplies.
Tehran already holds influence near the Strait of Hormuz, which has effectively closed during the broader conflict.
Before the disruption, roughly one fifth of the world’s oil moved through Hormuz, making the waterway one of the most important energy routes on the planet.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, has therefore relied more heavily on the Red Sea route.
If the Houthis can restrict traffic through Bab el Mandeb, Iran could squeeze a second major transit corridor and send global oil prices sharply higher.
The United States war with Iran has entered its seventh month without an immediate end in sight.
The conflict has driven up global oil prices and the cost of gasoline in the United States, creating additional political pressure ahead of the November midterm elections.
The latest escalation can be traced to early July, when the Houthis claimed their forces confronted Saudi “warplanes” that were allegedly attempting to stop an Iranian civilian aircraft from landing at Sanaa International Airport.
At that time, Saudi officials told Washington that their forces could handle the Houthis without direct American intervention.
Riyadh also emphasized that the wider war should not expand and urged United States officials to increase economic pressure on Iran.
The request reported this week suggests Saudi calculations may now be shifting as the Houthi threat grows more dangerous.
Intelligence and targeting support from the United States could improve Saudi effectiveness while keeping American personnel away from the front line.
The United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, prompting Tehran to launch strikes against Israel and Gulf countries hosting American bases.
American and Israeli strikes on Iran, along with Israeli operations in Lebanon, have since killed thousands and displaced millions.
For Trump, the decision balances military caution with the need to defend freedom of navigation and prevent Iran from dominating another strategic chokepoint.
The message is straightforward: America will defend its interests, but regional powers must carry their share of the security burden.
