US Officials Meet Houthi Representatives in Secret Oman Talks

U.S. officials held a secret meeting with Houthi representatives in Muscat, Oman, last Sunday, according to Reuters, citing five sources familiar with the matter. The meeting, facilitated by the Omani government, occurred shortly after the Houthis made significant advances along the Red Sea coast, capturing strategic areas near the Bab el-Mandeb strait.

During the talks, the Houthis reportedly assured American representatives that they do not intend to attack U.S. vessels and are committed to the 2025 ceasefire. A Yemeni source added that the Houthis stated they would not target Israeli or other commercial ships, reserving attacks only for Saudi vessels. This commitment, if upheld, marks a potential shift in Houthi policy. The Houthi delegation included senior figures like Mohammed Abdulsalam, who resides in Muscat and is under U.S. sanctions, and Abdulmalik Al-Ejri.

The U.S. State Department did not confirm the meeting but reiterated that protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and combating Middle East terrorism are key U.S. interests. This revelation is expected to increase Saudi frustration with Washington, as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had recently requested direct military aid from President Trump against the Houthis, which the U.S. declined, offering only intelligence and targeting assistance.

Saudi Arabia has been left to confront escalating threats on two fronts: missile and drone attacks on its territory and the Houthi threat to its Red Sea export route, a situation exacerbated by Iran's disruption of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, fighting in Yemen continues, with the Houthis claiming to have shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Marib, a claim Saudi Arabia has not confirmed. The Houthis also alleged around 450 Saudi airstrikes in Yemen within a week, while Saudi-backed Yemeni government sources confirmed joint attacks on Houthi positions without specifying the scale.

Saudi Arabia announced it intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca, calling security for the holy city a "red line." The Houthis denied targeting Mecca, suggesting the accusation was a pretext for Saudi escalation. The ongoing conflict has worsened the humanitarian crisis, with the UN reporting over 100,000 displaced people and thousands fleeing Yemen via Bab el-Mandeb to Djibouti.