Hyderabad, Sept. 15 -- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has sought assistance from Israel, indirectly and through the US military, in countering the Houthis in Yemen, according to reports in the Israeli press, as the Iran-aligned group tightens its grip on one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

The approach was routed through the US Central Command (CENTCOM) and sought intelligence and other support aimed at preventing the Houthis from closing the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, Hebrew daily Israel Hayomreported citing diplomatic officials in the region. Riyadh has separately made direct appeals to Egypt and other Gulf states, the report added.

Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have formal diplomatic relations and Riyadh has issued no offi...