Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly called US President Donald Trump twice and urged him to launch strikes against the Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen. Still, Trump rejected the request, according to the Axios report. The appeal came as tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis continue to rise amid the wider escalation of the West Asia conflict.

Saudi Arabia has faced increasing attacks from the Houthis, who have targeted vessels linked to the kingdom in the Red Sea. Riyadh has sought US military action against the group as the Houthi attacks threaten a key route for Saudi oil exports amid the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the Axios report, MBS made two calls to Trump and asked the US president to strike the Houthis. Trump raised concerns over the risk of further escalation in Yemen but declined to order direct US military action against the group.

Two US officials told Axios that the Trump administration currently has no plans to intervene directly against the Houthis. The officials indicated that Washington remains cautious about becoming directly involved in the renewed Saudi-Houthi confrontation.

People familiar with the matter also said the US Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper travelled to Riyadh for "urgent coordination meetings." The visit came as Saudi Arabia and its allies stepped up military operations against the Houthis.

Neither the White House nor the Saudi government has issued an official comment on the reported calls between Trump and the Saudi crown prince.

The latest confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis began in July 2026 after Riyadh blocked an Iranian aircraft carrying a senior Houthi official from landing in Yemen's capital, Sana'a.

The Houthis responded by attacking Saudi tankers in the Red Sea. The attacks raised concerns over the security of Saudi Arabia's oil export routes, particularly as the Strait of Hormuz remains under pressure amid the wider regional conflict.

Saudi Arabia has since carried out airstrikes and ground operations against the Houthis alongside its allies in Yemen. The Houthis have also continued their attacks on Saudi territory and have targeted Saudi oil giant Aramco.

The current escalation represents the most serious Saudi-Houthi confrontation since the United Nations-brokered ceasefire of 2022 collapsed. The renewed fighting has also increased pressure on Riyadh to secure its maritime trade and energy routes while Washington weighs the risks of direct military involvement.