US held secret talks with Houthis in Oman after Red Sea seizure

American officials held a previously undisclosed meeting with representatives of Yemen's Houthi movement at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat, Oman, on Sunday, days after the Iran-backed militia seized effective control of Yemen's entire Red Sea coastline, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing five sources familiar with the matter.reuters

The talks, facilitated by Oman's government, underscore Washington's effort to maintain diplomatic channels with a group it designated a "foreign terrorist organization" in March 2025 — even as the Houthis' territorial gains reshape the balance of power along one of the world's most critical maritime corridors.

What the Houthis Promised

During the meeting, the Houthi delegation told U.S. officials they had no intention of attacking American vessels and remained committed to the ceasefire reached with Washington in May 2025, two sources told Reuters. A Yemeni source added that the group also pledged not to target Israeli ships or other commercial vessels, with the exception of those belonging to Saudi Arabia.ynetnews+1

The U.S. side was represented by embassy personnel. The Houthi delegation included Mohammad Abdulsalam, a senior official based in Muscat who is under U.S. sanctions, and Abdelmalik al-Ajiri, another senior figure. A State Department spokesperson declined to confirm the meeting but said safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and preventing the export of terrorism from the Middle East were core U.S. interests.reuters+1

Saudi Arabia Left in a Bind

The meeting followed public acknowledgments from both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance that Washington was in direct contact with the Houthis. Trump said Saturday that the group had phoned his administration asking the United States to stay out of the Yemen war. Vance confirmed direct communication on Monday without elaborating.israelhayom+1

The diplomatic outreach came as Saudi Arabia found itself increasingly isolated. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Trump last week seeking U.S. military support amid the Houthi offensive, but Washington told Riyadh it would not get directly involved, according to Reuters. Saudi Arabia's partners Turkey and Pakistan, which signed a defense pact with Riyadh only last month, have so far limited themselves to condemning attacks on the kingdom.reuters+1

Escalation on Multiple Fronts

The Houthis last week seized control of Yemen's Red Sea coastline, including the historic port of Mocha and Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, routing Saudi-backed forces. On Wednesday, Saudi warplanes struck Houthi positions in Yemen as the group consolidated its gains. Riyadh said Tuesday it intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca, calling the incident a crossing of a "red line." The Houthis denied targeting the holy city.israelhayom+2

The fighting has also disrupted Saudi Arabia's oil exports. The kingdom's East-West Pipeline has been shut since last Friday after strikes attributed to Iran-aligned operatives in Iraq, and loadings at the port of Yanbu have been suspended. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told CNBC the pipeline repair would take "days, rather than weeks," though a source familiar with the matter previously told Reuters it could take up to six weeks.ibtimes+1