U.S. Officials Held Secret Talks With Houthis in Oman

U.S. officials held secret talks with representatives of Yemen's Houthi movement in Oman over the weekend, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The meeting, which took place at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat with assistance from the Omani government, comes as the Iran-backed group has made significant territorial gains along Yemen's Red Sea coast. During the discussions, Houthi representatives told American officials they had no intention of attacking U.S. or Israeli vessels and remained committed to a ceasefire reached with Washington in May 2025. However, they indicated they would continue targeting ships belonging to Saudi Arabia, according to sources. The U.S. State Department did not confirm the meeting occurred but stated that protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and countering terrorism remain core U.S. interests. The talks coincide with a sharp escalation in the conflict between the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition. Over the past week, Houthi forces have swept through towns along Yemen's Red Sea coastline and seized islands in the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait.