US Media: Trump Considered Airstrikes on Houthi Forces Over the Weekend but Ultimately Decided to Hold Off

Golden Finance reported on September 22, citing Axios, that Trump had consulted with senior advisors over the weekend regarding the possibility of launching airstrikes on Houthi forces. A U.S. official stated that Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, presented multiple airstrike options targeting Yemen to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday. However, another U.S. official revealed that Trump ultimately decided to delay action. According to Alex Plitsas, a researcher at the Atlantic Council and former Pentagon official, who spoke to Axios: "The President changed his mind, unwilling to open Pandora's box by launching airstrikes, as this could lead to the Houthis threatening the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, creating a second chokepoint." He added, "If Saudi Arabia takes the lead in resolving the Houthi issue, it will further drive up oil prices."