United States officials held a meeting with representatives of Yemen's Houthi movement in Muscat, Oman, over the weekend. According to five sources familiar with the matter, the session was not made public and took place at the US Embassy in Muscat. Three of these sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the event, with one noting that the meeting occurred on Sunday. The Omani government, which has long served as a regional mediator, assisted in organizing the discussions.
The Houthi delegation included two senior officials: Abdelmalik al-Ajiri and Mohammad Abdulsalam, the latter of whom is currently under US sanctions. Two sources confirmed that the US side was represented by embassy personnel. These talks occurred just days after the Houthis completed a sweeping military offensive, gaining effective control over Yemen's entire Red Sea coastline. This territorial expansion included the historic port of Mocha and Perim Island, situated in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, also known as the "Gate of Tears."
During the meeting, Houthi representatives reportedly assured US officials that they have no intention of attacking American vessels and remain committed to the 2025 ceasefire agreement with the United States. A Yemeni source indicated that the group also pledged they would not attack Israeli ships or any commercial vessels, with the sole exception of those belonging to Saudi Arabia. The Houthis, who have held Yemen’s capital since 2014, have been engaged in a decade-long conflict against a Saudi-led coalition. Fighting resumed in July after the Houthis declared a blockade on Saudi shipping in response to a Saudi blockade of Yemeni ports. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly contacted President Donald Trump last week to request US military support amid these advances.
Although the Trump administration designated the Houthis as a "foreign terrorist organisation" in March 2025, Washington has continued to negotiate with the group. A previous ceasefire was established in May of last year following a two-month US bombing campaign intended to stop Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping. President Trump stated on Saturday that the Houthis had contacted his administration to request that the United States remain out of the Yemen war. Additionally, Vice President JD Vance confirmed on Monday that the US is in direct contact with the group, though he provided no further details.
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