Saudi warns of widening Houthi threat, calls for global action
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister warned that Houthi attacks threaten more than his country’s borders, urging a coordinated international response after his forces intercepted six ballistic missiles.
The Saudi-led coalition said its air defenses shot down six missiles aimed at Taif and Yanbu, according to Reuters, though no casualties or damage were confirmed.
Speaking on the UN General Assembly sidelines, Prince Faisal bin Farhan told Fox News Digital that Riyadh is coordinating with Washington and other partners to protect Red Sea shipping lanes.
He emphasized Saudi Arabia’s ability to defend itself but stressed the need for broader multinational involvement.
Saudi authorities issued emergency alerts in Jeddah and Mecca before declaring the immediate danger passed; Yanbu, a key Red Sea oil export hub, has become vital as Iran’s war disrupts traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
The minister’s remarks come amid renewed U.S. requests from Saudi Arabia for direct military action against the Houthis, a request President Donald Trump weighed but ultimately rejected, according to an Axios report.
Trump considered weekend strikes but decided against them, while the United States continues to provide intelligence and targeting support without deploying troops.
Prince Faisal said the responsibility to counter the Houthi threat extends beyond Saudi Arabia, calling on the entire international community to act.
He thanked nations already assisting Riyadh and confirmed ongoing discussions with Washington.
Satellite imagery released by NASA Worldview shows the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic chokepoint Iran threatens to close via Houthi missile‑drone attacks, underscoring the global security risk.
A former Pentagon official warned that Houthi forces could enter a U.S. “kill box” after seizing a Red Sea “cork,” heightening concerns over the strait’s control.
The Houthis have expanded along Yemen’s western coast, reaching the shores of the Bab el-Mandeb, raising fears that the waterway could be shut to international shipping.
Saudi Arabia continues to seek U.S. military assistance while maintaining its own defensive posture, a balance that reflects both regional urgency and diplomatic caution.
Efrat Lachter, a Fox News Digital reporter with more than 15 years covering conflict and global affairs, contributed to this report.
