US officials held an undisclosed meeting with representatives of Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi group in Oman over the weekend, with the militia assuring Washington that it had no plans to attack American vessels, according to Reuters reports citing sources. The meeting reportedly took place at the US Embassy in Muscat and was facilitated by Oman. The talks came days after the Houthis seized effective control of a strategic stretch of Yemen's Red Sea coastline in an offensive that pushed back Saudi-backed forces.
During the meeting, which one source said was held on Sunday, Houthi representatives told US officials they remained committed to the ceasefire reached with Washington in 2025, as reported by Reuters. The militant group assured they would not target American vessels, the report added. This commitment comes amid ongoing tensions in the Yemen conflict, where the Houthis have gained significant territorial control in recent operations, including the recent seizure of control over Yemen's Red Sea coastline.
The diplomatic engagement follows US President Donald Trump's statement on Saturday that the Houthis had contacted his administration and asked Washington to stay out of the Yemen conflict, according to Reuters. The meeting represents a significant development in US-Houthi relations, particularly given the recent territorial gains by the militant group along Yemen's Red Sea coastline. The talks were facilitated by Oman, highlighting the regional diplomatic efforts to manage the Yemen conflict and maintain maritime security in the strategically important Red Sea region.
