The Media Line: US, Houthis Hold Oman Talks as Group Pledges Not to Target American, Israeli Ships  

US, Houthis Hold Oman Talks as Group Pledges Not to Target American, Israeli Ships  

By The Media Line Staff  

US officials met with a Houthi delegation in Oman over the weekend, where the Iran-backed terrorist group said it would refrain from attacking American targets and Israeli ships, five sources familiar with the talks told Reuters.  

Oman mediated the discussions, which took place at the US Embassy in Muscat shortly after the Houthis seized strategic positions along the Red Sea coast, including the city of Mokha. Full details of the negotiations have not been disclosed.  

Two sources said Houthi representatives told US officials that the group remained committed to its 2025 ceasefire with Washington and had no plans to target American vessels.  

A Yemeni source said the Houthis also pledged not to attack Israeli or other commercial ships, with the exception of vessels belonging to Saudi Arabia.  

The talks followed escalating tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. President Donald Trump previously said the group had asked Washington to stay out of its conflict with the kingdom.  

Axios reported last week that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had sought US military assistance against the Houthis but that Trump declined the request.  

Mohammad Abdulsalam, a senior Houthi official based in Muscat who is under US sanctions, participated in the delegation, one source said. Another source confirmed that senior Houthi official Abdelmalik al-Ajiri was also present.  

Despite the Houthis’ designation by the United States as a terrorist organization, Washington has negotiated with the group before. The most recent talks resulted in a May 2025 ceasefire following US strikes against Houthi targets aimed at preventing interference with Red Sea shipping.  

Asked about the weekend meeting, the State Department declined to confirm that US officials had met with Houthi representatives in Oman. A spokesperson said protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and preventing the export of terrorism from the Middle East were core US interests.  

Neither Abdulsalam nor Oman’s embassy in Washington responded to requests for comment.  

Brought to you by www.srnnews.com

Click here to read the full article