WASHINGTON/MUSCAT: U.S. officials held a secret meeting with representatives of Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group in Oman over the weekend, Reuters reported, citing five sources familiar with the talks.
The meeting took place at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat and was reportedly facilitated by the Omani government, according to the sources. The talks came days after the Houthis captured key areas along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including the strategic port of Mocha and Perim Island.
The meeting was significant because the Trump administration designated the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization in March 2025. However, Washington has previously engaged with the group, including negotiations that led to a ceasefire in May 2025 after a U.S. bombing campaign.
According to sources cited by Reuters, Houthi representatives told U.S. officials that they would not attack American vessels and remained committed to the 2025 ceasefire. One Yemeni source said the Houthis also pledged not to attack Israeli ships or commercial vessels, except those owned by Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi delegation reportedly included senior officials Mohammad Abdulsalam and Abdelmalik al-Ajri. Abdulsalam is under U.S. sanctions.
The U.S. State Department did not confirm the meeting. However, it said protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and preventing the spread of terrorism from the Middle East remain core U.S. interests.
The talks came as fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces intensified in Yemen. Reuters has reported that Washington has so far resisted Saudi requests for direct military intervention against the Houthis, while continuing intelligence support and dialogue with Riyadh.
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