Israel and Saudi Arabia are engaged in CENTCOM-mediated sharing intel against the Houthis
A source familiar with the details of the discussions told i24NEWS: "The talks went well."
S.Israel and Saudi Arabia are engaged in direct dialogue facilitated by the United States Central Command over potential Israeli intelligence assistance to Riyadh against the Houthis, a regional diplomat told i24NEWS.
The information was provided directly to i24NEWS, rather than attributed to an earlier Israeli media report. The diplomat said the discussions are intended to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s ability to confront the growing Houthi threat, with Israel potentially supplying intelligence on the group’s military positions, weapons infrastructure and operational plans.
The disclosure comes shortly after CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper visited Saudi Arabia and met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other senior officials. A source familiar with those discussions told i24NEWS that “the talks went well,” without providing further details.
Cooper’s visit and CENTCOM’s reported role in facilitating the Israeli-Saudi dialogue point to intensified American efforts to coordinate regional security responses as Houthi attacks place increasing pressure on Saudi Arabia and threaten navigation through the Red Sea.
The Houthis have sharply escalated their attacks against the kingdom over the past week. The group reportedly launched drones at Saudi oil pipelines and pumping facilities, causing a partial disruption to operations along a major pipeline.
Houthi forces have also been accused of attacking Saudi civilians at a mosque and nearby buildings close to the border with Yemen.
At the same time, the group seized several strategically located Red Sea islands and prevented Saudi vessels from passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The waterway connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a critical route for international trade and energy shipments.
The restrictions have increased economic and political pressure on Riyadh while raising broader concerns about maritime security in the region.
Regional security officials have warned that the escalation is alarming not only Saudi Arabia but also other governments that could face similar threats.
Those countries are reportedly concerned that Washington may eventually reach separate understandings with Iran and the Houthis, leaving its regional partners exposed to continued attacks without a comprehensive security arrangement.
Israel’s potential contribution would likely center on its intelligence and surveillance capabilities. The Israeli military has demonstrated an ability to monitor Iranian and allied forces across the region and has previously assisted the United States in developing intelligence on Iranian military deployments around the Strait of Hormuz.
Another unresolved issue is President Donald Trump’s decision to permit Saudi Arabia to develop a civilian nuclear program. Israeli security officials have raised concerns with the Trump administration about the program’s long-term strategic implications, even if it remains exclusively civilian.
Trump has sought to connect progress on the Saudi nuclear program with normalization between Riyadh and Jerusalem. The newly disclosed security dialogue suggests that practical cooperation may be advancing in response to the Houthi threat even as the larger political negotiations remain unsettled.