Riyadh/Washington, Sept. 11 -- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called US President Donald Trump twice on Thursday to urge Washington to launch strikes against Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militants as the group advanced towards the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, according to two US officials.
However, Trump declined the request, with US officials stressing that Washington had no plans to intervene directly against the Houthis for now as it is currently focused on Iran.
Riyadh's appeals came as oil prices rose sharply after Houthi forces seized a strategic coastal city in Yemen, bringing them closer to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key maritime route for global trade and Saudi oil exports.
With Iran having already disrupted global shi...