According to Reuters, U.S. officials recently held a clandestine meeting with Houthi representatives in Muscat, Oman. The Houthis reportedly pledged not to attack American, Israeli, and commercial ships, with the exception of Saudi vessels.
The meeting took place in the U.S. Embassy in Muscat over the weekend, arranged by the Omani government, amid escalating military tensions in Yemen and the Red Sea.
Sources indicated that Oman facilitated the discussions following recent developments along Yemen's Red Sea coast.
Exception for Saudi Vessels
A Yemeni source told Reuters that the Houthis assured the U.S. they do not intend to attack American ships and reiterated their commitment to the ceasefire reached with Washington in 2025.
The source added that the Houthis conveyed they "will not attack Israeli or any commercial vessels, except for Saudi vessels."
This exception for Saudi ships is significant given ongoing hostilities between the Houthis and forces backed by Riyadh and recent tensions in Saudi Arabia.
It remains unclear if the meeting resulted in any formal understanding between Washington and the Houthis or if these pledges have been operationalized.
Who Was Present?
Reuters reports that the Houthi side was represented by Mohammed Abdul Salam, a senior figure sanctioned by the U.S., and Abdul Malik al-Ajri.
The U.S. was represented by embassy personnel, according to the sources.
The U.S. State Department did not confirm the meeting, with a spokesperson stating that protecting maritime freedom in the Red Sea and preventing the export of Middle Eastern terrorism are key U.S. interests.
The Omani embassy in Washington and Mohammed Abdul Salam did not respond to Reuters' requests for comments.
Shifts in the Bab el-Mandeb
The meeting follows the Houthis' significant territorial gains on Yemen's western coast, including the port of Mocha and Perim Island, also known as Mayyun, in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
These developments are important due to Bab el-Mandeb's strategic location, serving as a crucial passage for trade and navigation between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
If confirmed, the meeting suggests an ongoing direct communication channel between Washington and the Houthis alongside Oman's efforts to mitigate escalation, leaving the status of Saudi vessels an open issue in potential Red Sea maritime security arrangements.