American officials held a closed-door meeting with representatives of the Houthis in Yemen at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat, Oman. This meeting took place amid military advances by the Houthis and their seizure of strategic Red Sea coasts. Informed sources stated that this meeting was organized by the Omani government, as a long-standing regional mediator.
Background of Tensions and Negotiations
The Houthis, who have controlled the capital of Yemen since 2014, have been at war with a Saudi-led coalition for over a decade. In 2025, the Trump administration designated this group as a "foreign terrorist organization" and criminalized support for it. However, since then, the U.S. has engaged in discussions with the Houthis on various issues, including ceasefires and negotiations to maintain freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
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In this meeting, the Houthis informed American officials that they have no intention of attacking American ships and will adhere to the 2025 ceasefire agreement. They also emphasized that they will not attack Israeli ships or any other commercial vessels except for Saudi ships.
Consequences and Regional Implications
Given the recent seizure of Red Sea coasts by the Houthis, including the historic port of Mocha and the island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the security situation in this region has significantly changed. These developments have prompted Saudi officials, particularly Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to seek military support from the United States. In this context, Saudi officials have directly contacted the U.S., while Washington has informed Riyadh that it does not intend to intervene directly in this crisis.
Moreover, considering that the Houthis have recently gained full control of the Red Sea coasts, this issue could impact global trade and maritime security. The United States emphasizes the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and preventing the export of terrorism from the Middle East, which is considered one of its key interests in the region.
Ultimately, this meeting occurs while tensions in Yemen and its surroundings remain high, and the need for establishing peace and stability in this country is felt more than ever.
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