Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed regional developments with US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Admiral Brad Cooper in Jeddah, as tensions with Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis continue to escalate.
The meeting came days after three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the crown prince had sought military assistance from US President Donald Trump to help counter the Houthis.
Trump did not agree to US strikes against the group, but Washington told Riyadh it would provide intelligence-sharing and targeting assistance, the sources said.
The Houthis have stepped up attacks on Saudi cities and energy infrastructure while advancing along Yemen’s Red Sea coast toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategically important maritime route.
The escalation has opened a second front in the broader regional conflict, raising concerns over the security of Saudi oil exports and the potential impact on global shipping.
By Vafa Guliyeva
