US Officials Meet Houthi Representatives in Oman, Secure Pledge Against Attacking Ships

U.S. officials met with Houthi representatives from Yemen in Oman over the weekend, according to five sources familiar with the matter. The meeting, held on Sunday at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat with the assistance of the Omani government, saw the Houthi rebels pledge not to attack American, Israeli, or other commercial vessels, with the exception of ships belonging to Saudi Arabia. They also affirmed their commitment to the ceasefire agreement reached with the United States in May of last year.

The Houthi delegation included Abdul Malik Al-Ejri and Mohammed Abdulsalam, a senior figure in the organization based in Muscat and subject to U.S. sanctions. This significant meeting occurs despite the Trump administration designating the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization in March 2025. President Donald Trump revealed last Saturday that the Houthis had approached his administration requesting non-interference in the Yemen conflict, and Vice President J.D. Vance confirmed on Monday that direct contact with the group was ongoing.

The U.S. State Department declined to officially confirm the meeting but emphasized that ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and preventing the export of terror are key American interests. The talks come amid dramatic shifts on the ground, just days after the Iran-backed militia completed a significant takeover of the strategic Red Sea coastline.

During recent fighting, the Houthis captured the historic port city of Mocha and Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, defeating local forces supported by Saudi Arabia. The regional conflict, which reignited in July following the Houthi declaration of a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in response to the blockade of Yemeni ports, has cornered the leadership in Riyadh. Following the rebels' advances, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with President Trump last week seeking military assistance, but Washington clarified to Riyadh that the United States would not intervene directly in the fighting.