US official warns of Trump-Saudi rift over Houthi strikes

A former senior US intelligence official warned that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will not forget Washington's decision to withhold fresh air strikes against the Houthis, potentially deepening a rift with the Trump administration as attacks on the kingdom intensify. The US has continued providing intelligence, weapons, and air-defense support but stopped short of launching a new operation, while Britain has moved in the opposite direction by announcing defensive air-to-air refueling for Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have expanded territorial gains along Yemen's Red Sea coast, threatening global shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Washington has pursued talks with the Houthis through Oman, with the group reportedly agreeing to restrict attacks to Saudi vessels. The disagreement follows a proposed sale of nearly 50 F-35 jets to Riyadh, and the issue is set to feature prominently at upcoming Gulf Cooperation Council meetings in New York.