Trump says Houthis agreed not to fight US, weighs 'wiping out' Iran: Report

 President Donald Trump dispelled rumors that the United States was going to attack the Houthis in Yemen, saying they'd agreed not to fight the U.S., as he weighs whether to resume intensive operations against Iran.

Rumors swirled on Saturday night that Trump was eyeing strikes against the Houthis, with some reports pointing to this as the reason that he was suddenly whisked back from Camp David. He denied this Sunday morning, according to Fox News's Trey Yingst, who said Trump insisted that communication was always open with the group and that a mutual understanding was in place.

"The president said the United States is in constant communication with the Houthis and that they've agreed not to fight the United States," Yingst said.

Trump's real focus, he said, was Iran.

"The president says he is in a deciding mode as it relates to Iran and that some big things will be happening in the not-so-distant future, adding that the Iranians better behave, and he is making this decision as to whether or not to blow up their nation," Yingst said.

"The president described the current choices on the table as wiping Iran out, letting them rot economically, or making a deal. He added, 'My question is: If and when do I blow the entire nation up? They'd better behave,'" Yingst added.

International focus flipped from Iran to the Houthis earlier this month, after they captured the entire Red Sea coast in a lightning offensive that humiliated the internationally recognized Yemeni government and its Saudi backers. Riyadh reportedly appealed to Trump for direct military strikes, but he denied it.

Despite having full control over the Bab el Mandeb Strait, the Houthis have pledged only to attack Saudi shipping, so far refraining from attacks against U.S. ships.

The president made similar comments vis-a-vis the Houthis last weekend, presenting a deal that has held so far. New Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia over the weekend have likewise failed to draw in a U.S. response.

“The Houthis called us, and they don’t want to fight with us,” he told reporters. “They don’t want us to go after them and would much prefer not having us involved, and they’re letting most ships go through.”

The Strait of Hormuz crisis continues to wax and wane, with a significant amount of oil passing through with U.S. help, but with Iran continuing its harassment of shipping.