{
  "id": 6836131,
  "title": "MBS seeks US military help from Trump with Houthis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/mbs-seeks-us-military-help-from-trump-with-houthis",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-12T00:46:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40439121/mbs-seeks-us-military-help-from-trump-with-houthis"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reached out to President Donald Trump for US military support to combat the Houthis in Yemen, according to sources. This request came as the Houthis escalated their threats to the Red Sea. Trump engaged in at least two phone conversations with the Saudi leader on Thursday, as per the sources. However, Washington ultimately ruled out direct military intervention for now, but pledged to assist Riyadh with intelligence sharing and targeting, the sources added. The White House did not comment on the reported phone calls, but a senior administration official emphasized that the US was continuously in dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government. The official stated that the US prioritized protecting core national security interests, including ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, while empowering regional partners to manage and resolve security challenges. Saudi Arabia's media office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported calls. US Central Command's Admiral Brad Cooper visited Saudi Arabia on Thursday for discussions, two sources disclosed. The news of the request to Trump was first reported by Axios. This move signifies a shift in approach for the US, as the ongoing war with Iran enters its seventh month, with no clear resolution in sight. The conflict has had a significant impact on global oil prices and US gasoline, contributing to a record-low approval rating for Trump ahead of the November midterm elections. The threat posed by the Houthis controlling the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, located opposite the Strait of Hormuz, could provide Iran with a strategic advantage in its war against the US, potentially disrupting oil supplies through a crucial transit corridor and driving up oil prices. The escalation of the conflict began in early July when the Houthis confronted Saudi warplanes attempting to prevent an Iranian civilian aircraft from landing in Sanaa International Airport. Initially, Saudi Arabia claimed it could handle the situation independently and emphasized the need to avoid further escalation. Saudi officials urged the US and its allies to increase economic pressure on Iran. In February, the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran, which responded with strikes on Israel and Gulf states hosting US bases, resulting in thousands of deaths and displacements.",
  "summary": "ISTANBUL/WASHINGTON: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sought assistance from President Donald Trump on Thursday to help fight Yemen’s Houthis, two sources familiar with the matter said on Friday, as the Houthis stepped up their threat to the Red Sea. Trump held at least two phone conversations with the Saudi leader on Thursday, sources said. In the end, Washington told Riyadh that it was…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}