Saudi Crown Prince Pressures Trump for Direct U.S. Strikes Against Houthis

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has personally pressed President Donald Trump to authorize direct U.S. military strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, according to sources familiar with the matter reported by CBS News. As Houthi forces advance along the Red Sea coast and seize strategic territory, the diplomatic friction has exposed deep divisions in Washington and rattled Riyadh over American reluctance to intervene.

Saudi Push for U.S. Military Action Amid Houthi Advances

The escalation follows rapid Houthi territorial gains along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including the capture of the strategic port of Mokha and the final two uncontrolled islands in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, as reported by CBS News. These moves grant the group increased leverage over a vital global shipping chokepoint. In response, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has held multiple calls with President Trump to urge direct military intervention, according to sources cited by CBS News.

Despite the lobbying from Riyadh, President Trump has declined to commit direct U.S. military forces, offering instead to provide intelligence and targeting support. Adm. Bradley Cooper, the commander of U.S. Central Command, traveled to Saudi Arabia for coordination talks on Friday, though a CENTCOM spokesperson declined to comment on his whereabouts to CBS News.

Strategic Dilemma and Regional Escalation Risks

The diplomatic push by Saudi Arabia is driven by fears of potential Iranian retaliation if the Houthis face direct military attacks, according to sources familiar with the discussions. One source told CBS News that Iran faces intense pressure from regional subgroups following setbacks for Hamas and Hezbollah, raising concerns in Riyadh over how Tehran might respond to a targeted campaign against the Houthis.

President Trump addressed the ongoing tensions during a visit to Ireland, noting that the Houthis had contacted Washington to indicate they do not want a confrontation with the United States. Meanwhile, oil prices have hovered near $100 a barrel over the past week—marking their highest level since July—amid analyst warnings that continued fighting in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea could drive prices to $120 a barrel.

U.S. National Security Focus and Diplomatic Dialogue

The U.S. remains in continuous dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen Government regarding regional stability, according to a senior administration official. The official said the U.S. is focused on protecting core national security interests, such as ensuring freedom of navigation, while empowering regional partners to take the lead in managing and resolving regional security challenges.

Simultaneously, broader conflict involving U.S. and Iranian forces has intensified. U.S. forces recently destroyed five Iranian oil tankers after Iranian forces targeted a U.S. Navy vessel with ballistic missiles, while Iran fired missiles at an American military base in Jordan, damaging multiple aircraft and prompting U.S. forces to launch more than 30 Patriot missiles in defense, according to CBS News reports.