Trump Remarks on Israel’s Role with Saudi Arabia Amid Houthi Threats
President Donald Trump stated on Friday that Israel has been providing support to Saudi Arabia in its efforts against Iran-backed Houthi forces. He implied that the possibility of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords might be more likely now than ever, as tensions rise in the region.
During a press briefing at the White House, Trump responded to a question about whether Saudi Arabia should accept help from Israel against the Houthis. “Yeah, I do. I think they will. Israel has been very helpful to Saudi Arabia,” Trump said, acknowledging Israeli support despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations between the two nations.
When asked if Saudi Arabia’s potential entry into the Abraham Accords was back on the table, he indicated that the chances for normalization seem stronger than before. “Yeah, I think so. Maybe more than ever,” he mentioned. He described the Abraham Accords as one of the significant achievements of his administration, stressing that Saudi Arabia appreciates both Israel’s and the U.S.’s backing.
Trump’s comments come amid escalating attacks by Houthi forces on Saudi Arabia, with these assaults targeting airports, oil facilities, and military sites. These attacks have resulted in civilian casualties, disrupted international travel, and raised serious concerns about the kingdom’s infrastructure.
Notably, a missile strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport last weekend was particularly devastating, with reports indicating that recent attacks had led to 17 fatalities and over 300 injuries. On Friday, the Saudi-led coalition spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki, announced the interception of a ballistic missile aimed at Yanbu, alongside two cruise missiles and three drone strikes against Saudi targets.
In light of these threats, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh issued a security alert about possible attacks on Saudi airports and disruptions to flights, mandating special authorization for U.S. personnel traveling through the region’s airports.
Against this backdrop, Trump’s acknowledgment of Israeli support highlights the increasing security collaboration between Israel and Saudi Arabia as they confront the ongoing Houthi threat. Reports from Israeli media earlier suggested that Saudi Arabia had been seeking assistance from the United States and was receiving intelligence from Israel via U.S. Central Command, particularly concerning threats to the vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
This cooperation is primarily focused on intelligence-sharing, although there have been discussions among U.S. officials regarding potential Israeli military actions against the Houthis. U.S. officials have broached the subject with Israeli military leadership, who expressed concerns over the risks of escalating tensions with Iran.
The strengthening security ties might further Trump’s long-standing objective of bringing Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords, which were established to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab states, including the UAE and Bahrain, during his first term in office.
Saudi Arabia has been identified as a crucial potential participant in these accords. However, talks had stalled following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel. Earlier this year, Trump had renewed efforts to connect enhanced U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear cooperation with the kingdom’s involvement in the accords.
On Friday, Trump linked Israel’s increasing security collaboration with Saudi Arabia to the renewed possibility of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, moving forward one of his administration’s ambitious diplomatic goals in the Middle East.
