President Donald Trump recently stated that Houthi forces in Yemen have agreed not to attack US targets, a claim made as the armed group escalates its attacks on Saudi Arabia. Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst, who frequently communicates with the President, quoted him as saying Washington "maintains regular contact with Houthi forces in Yemen and they have agreed not to attack the US".

This is not the first time Trump has made such remarks. During a visit to Ireland on 12/9, the US President affirmed that Houthi had made contact and "expressed no desire for conflict." He also stated that the US "does not want to pursue" the Yemeni armed group at this time.

Houthi forces march in Sanaa, Yemen's capital, on 10/9. *Photo: AFP*

The Houthi movement is actively expanding its territorial control in Yemen, threatening the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait and conducting attacks on Saudi Arabia. These include a missile attack on the capital Riyadh on 19/9.

General Yahya Saree, Houthi spokesperson, stated that their forces used a "large quantity of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles" along with unmanned aerial vehicles to attack Riyadh and facilities of the Saudi Aramco oil company in Yanbu. This marked the first Houthi strike on Riyadh since clashes between Saudi Arabia and the group re-erupted in July.

Location of the Bab El-Mandeb strait. *Graphic: CNN*

The Yemeni armed group also announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, targeting its ships in the Red Sea. The United Nations reported on 18/9 that fighting in Yemen displaced over 112,000 people and nearly 3,000 people crossed the sea to Djibouti.

Amid these developments, Yingst noted that Iran and its allied forces are "playing with fire" by extending the conflict to the Yemen-Saudi Arabia front. Sources indicate that the US and Israel maintain a high state of alert.

US military officials in the Middle East emphasized their readiness: "US forces are ready with weapons, including F-18 and F-35 fighter jets. President Trump will decide how to respond. Iran will pay a price if it continues attacks on US forces," Yingst quoted these officials.

The White House and Houthi forces have not yet commented on Trump's latest statement. Fox News suggests that while a return to negotiations between the US and Iran remains possible, Washington faces "signal noise" from Tehran.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have repeatedly advocated for diplomatic solutions. However, officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) retain significant influence and continue to consider options for attacking US forces to demonstrate their power.