US Officials Met with Houthi Representatives in Oman

American officials met with representatives from the Houthi organization in Muscat, Oman, according to a Reuters report citing sources. The meeting took place at the U.S. Embassy in Oman, with the Omani government reportedly assisting in its organization.

This development follows recent statements from U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance indicating direct contact between the U.S. and the Houthi group, though details were not provided at the time. The report suggests the Houthis pledged not to attack American and Israeli ships passing through the Red Sea, with one source specifying that only Saudi vessels would be targeted. This comes amid an escalation in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, with the latter having recently seized a strategic stretch of coastline on the Red Sea.

Further context includes former President Trump's statement that the Houthis had contacted his administration seeking U.S. non-involvement in the Yemen conflict. Concurrently, the U.S. elevated its travel advisory for Saudi Arabia to Level 3, with the advisory for the border region with Yemen reaching Level 4.