Donald Trump claims the Houthis have made a deal. Not with everyone. Just with the US. Fox News reporter Trey Yingst, who has direct access to the president, cited Trump saying Washington is in "constant communication" with the Yemeni militia and that they have "agreed not to fight the United States."
The distinction matters because the Houthis are still firing. On Saturday, a missile struck Riyadh, the Saudi capital, a direct hit on a key US ally. Meanwhile, the group is seizing territory from the internationally recognized Yemeni government, which Saudi Arabia backs. The Houthis are fighting a two-front war: one against their regional rivals, and a silent truce with the Americans.
This isn't the first time Trump has made this claim. On September 12, during a visit to Ireland, he stated, "The Houthis called us and they don't want to fight with us." Now, with the standoff against Iran dragging on for nearly seven months since the massive US-Israeli aerial bombing campaign on February 28, the stakes are higher. Yingst reported Trump is in "deciding mode" on Iran, warning that "big things will be happening in the not so distant future" and that "Iranians better behave."
The next move comes from the White House. Trump is weighing whether to "blow up their nation," a blunt phrasing that signals a potential escalation beyond the current stalemate. For now, the Houthis hold their ground against Saudi Arabia, while quietly keeping the US out of the crosshairs.