Iran live updates: Saudi Arabia shuts down key pipelines after multiple attacks
DAVID BRENNAN, MARY KEKATOS, NADINE EL-BAWAB, IVAN PEREIRA and JON HAWORTH
President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.
Delegations from the U.S. and Iran entered negotiations in June aimed at a war-ending deal based on a memorandum of understanding signed by both countries.
The U.S. and Iran have nonetheless continued to exchange strikes, with the strategic Strait of Hormuz as the primary flashpoint. Trump said in August that the U.S. would launch a "crushing economic operation" to force Tehran into submission.
The Trump administration is offering significant intelligence and targeting assistance to Saudi Arabia, but it does not currently plan on launching direct military attacks against the Houthis, two U.S. officials told ABC News.
Both officials cautioned that the administration's thinking could change, particularly if the threat to Red Sea shipping lanes escalates significantly.
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman spoke with President Donald Trump about the situation twice on Thursday, one official said, adding that the Saudi leader was seeking direct military intervention from the U.S. but that he did not indicate it was absolutely critical at this time.
"The United States is focused on protecting our core national security interests -- such as ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea -- while empowering our regional partners to take the lead in managing and resolving regional security challenges," a senior Trump administration official said when asked about the president's calls with MBS. "We are in continuous dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen Government regarding regional stability."
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DAVID BRENNAN, MARY KEKATOS, NADINE EL-BAWAB, IVAN PEREIRA and JON HAWORTH
President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.
Delegations from the U.S. and Iran entered negotiations in June aimed at a war-ending deal based on a memorandum of understanding signed by both countries.
The U.S. and Iran have nonetheless continued to exchange strikes, with the strategic Strait of Hormuz as the primary flashpoint. Trump said in August that the U.S. would launch a "crushing economic operation" to force Tehran into submission.
The Trump administration is offering significant intelligence and targeting assistance to Saudi Arabia, but it does not currently plan on launching direct military attacks against the Houthis, two U.S. officials told ABC News.
Both officials cautioned that the administration's thinking could change, particularly if the threat to Red Sea shipping lanes escalates significantly.
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman spoke with President Donald Trump about the situation twice on Thursday, one official said, adding that the Saudi leader was seeking direct military intervention from the U.S. but that he did not indicate it was absolutely critical at this time.
"The United States is focused on protecting our core national security interests -- such as ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea -- while empowering our regional partners to take the lead in managing and resolving regional security challenges," a senior Trump administration official said when asked about the president's calls with MBS. "We are in continuous dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen Government regarding regional stability."
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