Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed regional developments with US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper in Jeddah on Monday, Saudi state media said, amid escalating hostilities with Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis.

The meeting comes days after three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters the crown prince had sought military assistance from US President Donald Trump to help fight the Houthis.

Trump did not agree to US strikes on the group, but Washington told Riyadh it would provide intelligence-sharing and targeting assistance, the sources added.

US CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper looks toward AFRICOM Commander Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson as they testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on ''The Posture of the US Central Command and US Africa Command in Review'' on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, May 14, 2026.
US CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper looks toward AFRICOM Commander Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson as they testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on ''The Posture of the US Central Command and US Africa Command in Review'' on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, May 14, 2026. (credit: KEVIN LAMARQUE/REUTERS)

Houthi attacks escalating, infrastructure under threat

The Houthis have stepped up attacks on Saudi cities and energy infrastructure while advancing along Yemen's Red Sea coast towards the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key shipping route.

The escalation has opened a second theater in the wider regional conflict and raised concerns over Saudi oil exports and global shipping.

The Saudi Civil Defense sent an all-clear on Monday after issuing alerts for potential danger in four southern cities amid an uptick in attacks by the Houthis.

Saudi Civil Defense had issued the alerts for the cities of Najran, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Abha. It also later issued warnings for Khamis Mushait and Abha a second time before lifting them again.

The Houthis, who ⁠control ​the most populous parts of Yemen and much of the north, ​have been launching attacks towards Saudi Arabia since declaring a naval blockade against Riyadh in July, with strikes targeting Saudi vessels in the Red ​Sea.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia requested the postponement of a meeting between Tehran and Gulf powers that was supposed to take place in Oman on Monday, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.