Targets picked, bombs loaded: Trump called off strikes on Houthis at the last minute

U.S. President Donald Trump canceled planned airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen at the last minute, despite munitions being loaded onto jets. This decision followed a conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who urged U.S. intervention to aid Saudi Arabia's campaign. The cancellation was partly due to concerns that opening another front could complicate the ongoing conflict with Iran. U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, indicated Saudi Arabia had "shown a willingness" to use leverage if the U.S. did not cooperate, citing a past instance where Saudi Arabia blocked U.S. use of its airspace for escorting oil tankers. Separately, U.S. officials met with Houthi representatives in Oman, where the Houthis reportedly committed to refraining from attacking American, Israeli, and other commercial vessels, except those belonging to Saudi Arabia.