Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper in Jeddah on Monday (September 14, 2026), Saudi state media said, amid escalating hostilities with Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed regional developments with U.S.
President Donald Trump to help fight the Houthis. Mr. The Houthis have stepped up attacks on Saudi cities and energy infrastructure while advancing along Yemen’s Red Sea coast towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key shipping route. The escalation has opened a second theatre in the wider regional conflict and raised concerns over Saudi oil exports and global shipping.
The meeting comes days after three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters the crown prince had sought military assistance from U.S. Trump did not agree to U.S. strikes on the group, but Washington told Riyadh it would provide intelligence-sharing and targeting assistance, the sources added.
