Dublin: US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement had contacted Washington asking the United States not to intervene after the group seized control of a strategically important shipping corridor linking Europe and Asia.
The Houthis have taken control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coastline after capturing three strategic islands in a rapid offensive, raising concerns over the security of one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.
“The Houthis called us and they don’t want to fight with us,” Trump told reporters during a visit to Dublin, Ireland. “They don’t want us to go after them.”
The US president sought to play down concerns about a wider confrontation, saying “everything’s gonna work out fine and dandy” in the region.
The developments have taken on added significance for Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, which has increasingly relied on the Red Sea route after Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted Saudi oil shipments through the Gulf.
Trump also said he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom he described as a “friend.”
According to US news outlet Axios, the Saudi crown prince called Trump twice on Thursday to request US military strikes against the Houthis, but the president declined.
The reported request followed a major drone and missile attack targeting Saudi oil facilities this week.
The latest developments have heightened concerns over the security of international shipping and global energy supplies as the Houthis consolidate their position along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and around strategically important maritime routes.