Trump says Houthis are "behaving very badly." What are his options?

President Donald Trump accused the Yemen-based Houthis of attempting to raise oil prices as the US midterm elections draw nearer, warning that he would never forget their attacks on Saudi Arabia. The conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels escalated in July, coinciding with a broader Middle East turmoil that has impacted energy markets and caused unrest in the region.

Since then, the Houthis have targeted Saudi oil installations, tankers, and transport hubs, including a lethal strike on Riyadh's international airport over the weekend. In a message on his Truth Social platform, Trump called the Houthis' actions "very bad" and "purposefully trying to drive up Oil Prices, probably prior to the US Elections - NOT NICE."

He also hinted at the possibility of joining Saudi strikes against the Houthis. Despite the upcoming elections, Trump downplayed the influence they might have on his decision-making regarding the conflict, stating, "I'm not running in the Elections... but I'll be there after the Elections, and I will never forget!" The Republican Party is grappling with a tough fight in the November midterms to keep control of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

With only a few weeks left before the vote, Trump is actively campaigning to bolster support for his party, including by holding rallies in states where Senate races are competitive. The current situation also comes after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route for oil and gas, as retaliation against US and Israeli attacks in late February.