Archive · 17 Sep 2026
US Meets Houthis in Oman as Saudi Seeks Support
US officials reportedly met leaders of the Houthi movement in Oman.
The Houthis are an armed group from Yemen that is backed by Iran.
The meeting was not publicly announced and reportedly happened at the US Embassy in Muscat.
The Houthis said they would not attack American ships and still supported a ceasefire made with the US in 2025.
Reports differed about whether the Houthis also promised to protect all commercial and Israeli ships, or only most ships except Saudi-linked vessels.
The talks came after the Houthis captured important parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
Saudi Arabia asked the United States for military help against the Houthi advance.
Washington reportedly decided not to join the fighting directly.
US officials said keeping ships safe in the Red Sea remains an important American interest.
US officials reportedly met Houthi representatives at the US Embassy in Muscat over the weekend, with Oman helping arrange the talks, according to several sources.
The Houthis reportedly said they would not attack US vessels and remained committed to the 2025 ceasefire with Washington.
Sources differed on shipping assurances: one said Israeli and commercial ships would be spared except Saudi vessels, while another report described Saudi-linked shipping as the sole target.
The talks followed a Houthi offensive that reportedly seized Yemen’s Red Sea coastline, including Mocha and Perim Island.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sought US military support, but Washington reportedly declined to intervene directly against the Houthis.
- Who
- US officials and Houthi representatives, reportedly including Mohammad Abdulsalam and Abdelmalik al-Ajiri, met in Oman.
- What
- They held an undisclosed meeting concerning the 2025 ceasefire, shipping attacks and the conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
- When
- Over the weekend; one source said the meeting occurred on Sunday, after the Houthis’ reported coastal offensive.
- Where
- The US Embassy in Muscat, Oman.
- Why
- The talks reportedly addressed Houthi assurances about shipping and followed Saudi Arabia’s request for US military support against Houthi advances.
United States and Saudi Arabia
Houthi movement
US involvement in Yemen
United States and Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia sought US military support, but Washington reportedly chose not to intervene directly; the United States said Red Sea navigation and preventing terrorism were core interests.
Houthi movement
President Donald Trump said the Houthis had asked Washington to stay out of the Yemen war, and the group reportedly reassured US officials that American vessels would not be attacked.
Red Sea shipping
United States and Saudi Arabia
The United States condemned threats to freedom of navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb and said protecting Red Sea navigation was an important interest.
Houthi movement
The Houthis reportedly promised not to attack American shipping and, according to reports, would target only Saudi-linked shipping because of Saudi Arabia’s blockade of Yemen.
Future of Yemen’s conflict
United States and Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia faces pressure to pursue a diplomatic settlement or build a regional alliance to push back the Houthi advance.
Houthi movement
The Houthis reportedly maintained that the 2025 ceasefire with the United States remained in force while continuing their conflict with Saudi-backed forces.
- Reported venue
- US Embassy in Muscat, Oman
- Reported organizer
- Oman’s government reportedly helped arrange the meeting
- Houthi assurance
- No attacks on American vessels and continued commitment to the 2025 US-Houthi ceasefire
- Shipping position
- Reports said Saudi-linked ships remained targets; one source also said Israeli and other commercial ships would not be attacked
- Houthi advance
- The group reportedly seized Yemen’s Red Sea coastline, including Mocha and Perim Island
- US designation
- Washington designated the Houthis a foreign terrorist organization in March 2025
- Saudi request
- Mohammed bin Salman reportedly sought US military support from Donald Trump
- US response
- Washington reportedly declined to become directly involved in the fighting
