MBS arm-twists Trump for help as Houthis rain missiles on Saudi: US says no, offers this instead…

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has held talks with U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper in Jeddah amid escalating Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Press Agency said the meeting reviewed Saudi-U.S. relations and the latest regional developments. It came days after the crown prince reportedly asked President Donald Trump for direct U.S. military action against Yemen’s Houthi movement. Reuters reported that Washington declined to take direct military action for now, but agreed to support Riyadh with intelligence-sharing and targeting assistance. The U.S. support is also reported to include advice on Saudi air-defence strategy as the kingdom faces continuing aerial threats to cities, energy sites and key Red Sea approaches.