President Donald Trump gave Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman his support for a military operation against the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen, according to two U.S. officials.
The Saudi airstrike on Sanaa International Airport on Monday, followed by retaliatory Houthi missile and drone attacks, marked the most significant cross-border escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis since 2022.
The renewed hostilities have raised concerns that the unofficial four-year truce between the two sides could collapse, potentially widening regional instability and further complicating tensions between the United States and Iran.
According to U.S. officials, Saudi Arabia informed Washington in advance of its planned military action, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman seeking President Trump’s political backing before the operation.
Officials said the request reflected Riyadh’s concern that any renewed confrontation with the Houthis could evolve into a broader conflict requiring sustained U.S. military and diplomatic support.
Last week, Saudi officials reportedly warned Washington about the deteriorating security situation and sought American backing for possible strikes.
The diplomatic consultations included meetings between Saudi Ambassador to the United States and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, followed by a phone conversation between Rubio and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
According to a U.S. official, Trump later spoke directly with Mohammed bin Salman, who requested support for military action against the Houthis and received the president’s approval.
Asked about the reports, the White House referred to Trump’s recent comments criticizing Iran, while the Saudi Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The latest confrontation traces back to events roughly 10 days earlier, when an aircraft operated by Mahan Air landed in the Houthi-controlled Yemeni capital of Sanaa.
The flight reportedly transported Houthi leaders to Iran for the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Flights between Iran and Sanaa have been largely absent for more than a decade due to Saudi concerns that they could be used to transport weapons or Iranian military personnel to the Houthis.
A U.S. official described Mahan Air as an airline linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and noted that it remains under U.S. sanctions.
The Houthis claimed Saudi fighter jets attempted unsuccessfully to block the aircraft’s arrival and warned they would target Saudi airports if similar actions occurred again.
On Monday, as the aircraft returned from Iran carrying the Houthi delegation, Saudi forces struck Sanaa airport, forcing the plane to divert and land in the Red Sea port city of Al Hudaydah.
A U.S. official alleged the aircraft was transporting weapons, missile components and military advisers for the Houthis.
In response, the Houthis launched ballistic missiles and drones toward Abha Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia and warned commercial airlines against operating in Saudi airspace until restrictions on Sanaa airport are lifted.
The renewed exchange has heightened fears that the conflict in Yemen could once again become a major regional flashpoint, with broader implications for Middle East security.
