Trump urges Saudi Arabia to leverage Israeli support against Houthis

Trump characterized Israeli support for Saudi Arabia in combating Houthi militants as a strategic asset that Riyadh should not overlook. He described the Israeli offer as "very helpful" and positioned it as part of a broader Middle Eastern realignment that could benefit all parties involved.

The comments come amid escalating regional hostilities, with Houthi attacks on shipping lanes and Saudi infrastructure intensifying concerns among Gulf states. Trump's remarks suggest a diplomatic approach that seeks to deepen cooperation between traditionally adversarial regional powers through shared security interests.

The former president also reiterated the potential benefits of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, a normalisation framework initially brokered by the Trump administration between Israel and several Arab nations. He indicated that such a move could strengthen regional stability while enabling coordinated responses to security challenges like the Houthi threat.

Saudi Arabia has previously maintained complex diplomatic positioning regarding direct cooperation with Israel, though the kingdom has reportedly engaged in behind-the-scenes coordination on security matters. The latest remarks underscore ongoing efforts by multiple international actors to reshape Middle Eastern geopolitical alignments through security partnerships and normalisation agreements.

The Houthi insurgency in Yemen continues to pose significant challenges for regional security, with the Iranian-aligned group's drone and missile capabilities presenting threats to shipping routes and civilian infrastructure across the Gulf region.