President Donald Trump expressed support for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) regarding military action against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, as reported by U.S. officials. The recent Saudi strike on Sanaa airport and the subsequent Houthi missile attacks represent a significant escalation in cross-border tensions, potentially ending a four-year unofficial truce between the two parties.
Saudi Arabia had previously communicated its concerns to the U.S. and sought support for possible strikes against the Houthis. Following discussions between Saudi officials and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump spoke with MBS, who requested backing for military action and received it.
The conflict escalated when an Iranian plane landed in Houthi-controlled Sanaa, carrying a delegation to the funeral of former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Saudi Arabia had blocked flights from Iran for over a decade due to security concerns. Following the plane's landing, Saudi forces bombed the Sanaa airport, leading to Houthi missile attacks on Saudi airports. The situation raises concerns about increased regional tensions and the potential for a broader conflict involving Iran.