Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called President Trump twice Thursday, urging him to launch strikes against the Houthis as the group closed in on a vital Red Sea chokepoint, two US officials told Axios, the latter reports.

But Trump declined, and US officials stressed the administration has no plans to intervene directly against the Houthis for now.

US officials have told their Saudi counterparts in recent weeks that Trump's instruction is to keep American forces focused on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, avoiding opening a new front, according to sources familiar with the discussions.