Saudi Arabia Is Asking The U.S. To Strike The Houthis. Washington Military Officials Are Not Sure.

Top U.S. military officials are at odds over whether to strike Iran-backed Houthi rebels, which have been making significant gains in the country and are strengthening their chokehold on the Red Sea.

NBC News detailed that some military leaders are seeking to convince President Donald Trump that opening a new front in the Middle East is not convenient at the moment, particularly as the country's stockpiles have dwindled as a result of its prolonged war in Iran. That scenario could also risk a blockade in the Red Sea and increased danger for U.S. troops in the Middle East.

Others, in contrast, are saying that the U.S. should conduct strikes and help Saudi Arabia, which has been struggling to inflict damage against the Iran-backed group.

The outlet noted that Trump had ordered strikes against the Houthis on Sunday, but the order was cancelled hours before they were set to begin. Trump, the report said, has not ruled out taking action in the future. The U.S. has been sharing intelligence with Saudi Arabia to help it conduct strikes.

Another report has noted that China asked Iran to rein in the Houthis after getting a request from Saudi Arabia.

Reuters detailed that Beijing asked Tehran to use its influence on the Houthis to prevent the conflict from spreading further as it threatens more global export hubs.

Responding to a request from the outlet, the Chinese foreign ministry said "China does not wish to see regional tensions further spill over into Yemen and the Red Sea. Escalating regional instability is not in the interests of ​any party".

At the same time, Washington officials reportedly met with Houthi representatives, who told them that they won't target U.S. or Israeli ships.

Reuters detailed in another report that the meeting took place at the U.S. Embassy in Oman, and that Muscat helped organize the meeting. It went on to note that Washington has held negotiations with the group despite designating it as a "foreign terrorist organization" in march 2025.

The parties signed a ceasefire in May of last year after after the U.S. conducted a two-months long campaign against the Houthis to prevent them from keep targeting ships in the Red Sea. In the Oman meeting, representatives told Washington that they intended to abide by the ceasefire and would only target Saudi ships.