Trump Urges Saudi Arabia to Accept Israeli Help Against Houthi Militia

US President Donald Trump has urged Saudi Arabia to accept Israel’s offer of assistance against Yemen’s Houthi militia, while warning that Washington may need to strike an underground Iranian site linked to the country’s nuclear programme.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, Trump was asked whether Saudi Arabia should accept Israel’s offer to help counter the Houthi militia. He responded affirmatively, adding that Israel had been “very helpful” to Saudi Arabia.

Earlier this week, an Israeli diplomatic source reportedly told an Israeli newspaper that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had offered assistance to Saudi Arabia against the Houthi militia through US mediation. The reported offer was also viewed as a possible way to strengthen ties between Israel and the kingdom.

Reports have suggested that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was reluctant to accept the proposal because of concerns about a potential public reaction inside Saudi Arabia. The reported objections and the details of the offer have not been independently established in the information available.

Trump’s comments come amid renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi targets and broader regional tensions. No new Saudi-Israeli agreement was announced in his remarks.

Trump Says US May Need to Strike Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain Site

In a separate interview, Trump said the United States might have to target Iran’s underground Pickaxe Mountain site, which is associated with the country’s nuclear programme.

Trump reiterated Washington’s stated objective of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He argued that the depth of Iran’s underground nuclear infrastructure could make a military strike necessary, warning that the United States might have to attack the site to destroy the facilities.

The president also ruled out using nuclear weapons in the conflict with Iran. His remarks did not confirm that a decision had been made to strike Pickaxe Mountain or that a specific military operation had been authorised.

The comments underline the continuing risk of further military escalation as tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran persist. Any decision to attack an underground nuclear facility could carry significant regional and security implications.