Israel and Saudi Arabia engaged in talks mediated by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) to enhance Saudi Arabia's defense against Houthi military actions, as confirmed by a regional diplomat to The Jerusalem Post on September 15, 2026. The discussions were characterized as productive by a source familiar with the meetings. These talks follow a recent meeting between US CENTCOM Chief Admiral Brad Cooper and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, along with other Saudi officials.
The Houthis have escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, including a drone strike on oil pipelines that resulted in a partial shutdown of operations. Additionally, they targeted Saudi civilians near a mosque and other buildings close to the Yemen-Saudi Arabia border. The Houthi military has also taken control of several strategically important islands in the Red Sea, restricting Saudi vessels' passage through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and effectively imposing an economic blockade on Saudi Arabia.
This security situation has raised concerns among Saudi Arabia and other regional nations, particularly regarding the potential for the US to reach agreements with Iran and the Houthis, which could leave Saudi Arabia vulnerable to ongoing threats. Diplomatic sources indicated that the talks aimed to provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence support to better understand Houthi military movements and future operational plans.
In addition to Israeli assistance, Saudi Arabia has sought support from Britain to counter Houthi threats in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and to protect its oil infrastructure. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has agreed to send military advisers to assist Saudi Arabia, though no additional aid has been confirmed.
Concerns within Israel's security establishment have also arisen regarding US President Donald Trump's decision to permit Saudi Arabia to develop a civilian nuclear program, given Saudi Arabia's proximity to Israel. Trump has linked advancements in Saudi nuclear development to the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Despite the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, both nations share security interests, and there is cautious optimism about the potential for a diplomatic agreement in the future, especially in light of increasing regional threats.