Trump reverses on Saudi request for strikes on Houthi targets

September 21, 2026 at 09:33 PM1 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

President Donald Trump reversed his decision on Saudi Arabia's request for U.S. strikes on Houthi targets after a call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on September 17. The White House said on Sunday that the U.S. will not strike the Houthis, at least for now. The reversal came as Trump's advisers remain divided over opening a new front against Iran-backed forces.

Key Facts

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called President Trump on September 17 to request U.S. intervention against advancing Houthi attacks.
Trump initially told advisers he opposed strikes, but after the call he ordered the Pentagon to prepare for airstrikes.
By Sunday, White House officials said the U.S. will not strike the Houthis, at least for now.
Most of Trump's inner circle opposed or were skeptical of joining Saudi Arabia's war against the Houthis, citing strain on U.S. forces already engaged with Iran.

The Saudi Request

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called President Trump on September 17 to ask for U.S. help in slowing the Houthi advance. The crown prince, the kingdom's de facto ruler and a key U.S. ally in the Iran war, pressed Trump to intervene. Trump had told advisers a day earlier that he opposed strikes, but after the call he ordered the Pentagon to prepare for airstrikes.

Reversal and Internal Divisions

By Sunday, White House officials said the U.S. will not strike the Houthis, at least for now. A senior administration official said, "The U.S. has a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and we will always defend our allies." Most of Trump's inner circle opposed or were skeptical of joining the Saudi war, citing the strain on U.S. forces already fighting Iran.