Two phone calls to Donald Trump to ask for military intervention, both without getting the green light. While the Houthis were advancing along the western coast of Yemen, the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman sought direct support from the United States. But the American president rejected the request to attack the Iran-allied group, instead offering intelligence and assistance in identifying targets.
The crisis puts under pressure a route that has become essential for Saudi oil exports following the substantial closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The conquest of Mocha was followed by the Houthis' arrival on the island of Perim, in the strategic Bab el-Mandeb passage. Simultaneously, a drone attack forced Riyadh to temporarily halt operations on the East-West pipeline, crucial for transporting crude oil to the Red Sea.
Bin Salman's phone calls and the White House's refusal
Secondo Axios, who first reported the news, bin Salman called Trump twice Thursday, September 10. In their first meeting, he reportedly outlined the deteriorating military situation, as Yemeni forces backed by Riyadh retreated from the offensive on Mocha. Hours later, he called for American strikes against the Houthis. But Washington, for now, does not intend to intervene directly. The stated policy is to protect American interests, including freedom of navigation, while leaving the management of security crises to regional partners.
US support continues, however on the operational levelAdmiral Brad Cooper, commander of Centcom, traveled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for coordination meetings. According to Axios, approximately 200 American troops are already present in the kingdom on support tasks that do not involve combat. The Saudi request marks a change of position from July, when Riyadh assured Washington that it could confront the Houthis independently. Now bin Salman seeks greater involvement, while Trump wants to keep American forces focused on Iran and Hormuz.
Houthis advance to strategic strait
On the ground, the offensive quickly changed the balance. After the fall of Mocha and the Hanish Islands, Friday the Houthis have reached Perim, the island located in the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb, with the withdrawal of government forces from the island and the capture of Dhubab, on the opposite coast. The passage connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is crucial for international trade routes. Strengthening control of its shores and islands means increasing the ability to threaten shipping transit, just as Hormuz is already compromised by the war.
Military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the conquest of 5.400 square kilometers since the beginning of the operation, September 3. The figures on the losses inflicted on their adversaries remain the group's declarations. Forces of the internationally recognized Yemeni government have announced their intention to reconquer the lost areas. The Houthis assure that the navigation will remain open to foreign companies, with the exception of Saudi vessels, which are already subject to their ban. "We will continue to enforce blockade after blockade and escalation after escalation until the aggression ceases and the blockade on our people is lifted," Saree said.
The advance also has humanitarian consequences. According to the International Organization for Migration, at least 46 people have fled their homes since the escalation of fighting. The UN also denounced the occupation of a humanitarian facility in Mocha, specifying that the staff had already been relocated and were safe.
The oil pipeline bypassing Hormuz was also hit.
For Saudi Arabia, the threat to the sea adds to that to its energy infrastructure. The East-West pipeline has been temporarily closed Following attacks in the Riyadh and Medina regions, authorities reported damage and several injuries. According to the Saudi government, the drones originated in Iraq. The identity of those responsible has not been clarified. Riyadh has temporarily chosen not to respond militarily, complying with a request from the Iraqi Prime Minister and giving Baghdad the opportunity to prevent further attacks. Iraqi authorities have condemned the action and announced an investigation.
The pipeline, approximately 1.200 kilometers long, allows Saudi oil to reach the western coast, bypassing Hormuz. In recent months, it had transported between four and five million barrels per day, equivalent to approximately 4-5% of global supply. Its disruption therefore affects one of the main alternatives to the Gulf route.
Iran's leverage and the risk of another front
For Tehran, the advance of the Yemeni allies could translate into a further strategic advantage. With Hormuz effectively blocked, the possibility of also hindering Bab el-Mandeb pressure on Saudi exports increases and on global energy balances. And, in fact, Iran reportedly encouraged the Houthis to intensify attacks against Riyadh, promising funding, weapons and officers. Tehran denies publicly to issue military directives to the group, while claiming allegiance. First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref hailed the gains in a message on X. “We are happy with the victories of the heroic nation of Yemen,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, on the diplomatic level, it is expected on Monday in Oman a meeting dedicated to trade routes through Hormuz, with the participation of Iran and countries in the region.
