Srinagar, Sep 11: US President Donald Trump rejected a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to order strikes against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, Axios reported, citing two US officials.
MBS called Trump twice on Thursday, urging US military action as Houthi forces advanced towards the strategic Bab el-Mandeb shipping chokepoint, the report said.
US officials said the Trump administration currently has no plans to intervene directly against the Houthis.
The development comes as the US-Iran conflict intensifies across the Red Sea, Yemen and the Strait of Hormuz, with attacks on shipping increasing and oil prices rising above $100 a barrel.
Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would impose sanctions on a major, unnamed bank early next week as part of its economic pressure campaign against Iran.
