Saudi ​Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ‌discussed regional developments with ​U.S. Central Command chief ⁠Admiral Brad Cooper in Jeddah on Monday (September 14, 2026), Saudi state media ‌said, amid escalating hostilities with Yemen’s Iran-aligned ‌Houthis.

The meeting comes ‌days ⁠after three sources ⁠familiar with the matter told Reuters the crown prince had ​sought military assistance ‌from U.S. President Donald Trump to help fight the Houthis.

Mr. Trump did not agree ‌to U.S. strikes ​on the group, but Washington told Riyadh ⁠it would provide intelligence-sharing and targeting assistance, the sources ‌added.

The Houthis have stepped up attacks on Saudi cities and energy infrastructure while advancing along Yemen’s Red Sea coast ‌towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, ​a key shipping route.

The escalation has opened ⁠a second theatre in ⁠the wider regional conflict and raised concerns ‌over Saudi oil exports and global shipping.