Saudi Crown Prince meets CENTCOM chief as Houthi strikes escalate regional security threats

SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 12:36Updated: SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 13:22Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed regional developments with US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper in Jeddah on Monday, 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 US President Donald Trump to help fight the Houthis.Trump did not agree to US strikes on the group, but Washington told Riyadh it would provide intelligence-sharing and targeting assistance, the sources added.US CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper looks toward AFRICOM Commander Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson as they testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on ''The Posture of the US Central Command and US Africa Command in Review'' on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, May 14, 2026. (credit: KEVIN LAMARQUE/REUTERS)Houthi attacks escalating, infrastructure under threatThe 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 theater in the wider regional conflict and raised concerns over Saudi oil exports and global shipping.Follow us on Google