Houthi attack on Riyadh airport forces swift rethink of Trump’s new strategy

US President Donald Trump's strategy to avoid discussing the Iran war and Yemen conflict before the midterm elections is put to the test after a Houthi attack on Riyadh airport.

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US President Donald Trump's plan to avoid discussing the Iran war and Yemen conflict before the midterm elections has been put to the test after a Houthi attack on Riyadh airport.

The attack, which killed 12 people including an American, has raised questions about Saudi Arabia's ability to defend itself against Houthi rocket attacks, which have been fired from 500 miles away.

The US has had a unilateral ceasefire with the Houthis since 2025, and Trump has twice rejected Saudi appeals for help.

The attack has also highlighted the flaws in Trump's strategy, which blames Ukraine for diesel prices and claims that the Iranian blockade in the strait of Hormuz is broken.

The strategy, which was unveiled on Friday, has been widely criticized by European leaders, including former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Education Minister Karin Prien, who have accused Trump of moral bankruptcy and of trying to force American drivers to bankroll Putin's slaughter in Ukraine.

The attack has also put pressure on Trump to act as an ally to Saudi Arabia, and it remains to be seen whether he will be able to spurn their appeals for help for a third time.

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