Trump weighed strikes on Yemen's Houthis, then held off
Axios reports the president considered military action over the weekend before pulling back, as tension in Yemen and Saudi Arabia builds.
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Map: The Middle East, marking Yanbu, Sanaa
President Trump considered ordering strikes on Yemen's Houthi movement over the weekend before deciding against it, Axios reports.
The option came up as tension in the region rises. The Houthis say they struck an Aramco facility in Yanbu on Saturday and have vowed further attacks. Osintdefender reported an explosion in Sanaa on Sunday. The US Mission in Saudi Arabia has restricted staff travel to Taif and Yanbu, requiring special authorization as of Sunday. Iranian state media reported that Houthi forces were surrounding the city of Taiz the same day.
Trump has also said the United States is talking to the Houthis about a potential deal, a comment that points toward negotiation rather than an immediate military response. Holding off on strikes, alongside that outreach, suggests Washington may be leaning toward de-escalation for now rather than a new round of confrontation.
For markets, the calculation matters because Middle East supply risk is already priced in and the endgame in Yemen remains unsettled. Choosing not to strike keeps the current risk level in place without adding a fresh trigger for oil price swings.