US, Houthis hold talks in Oman as group expands control along Yemen’s Red Sea coast

Fighters affiliated with the Saudi-backed Yemeni government engage in clashes with Houthi authorities in Al-Jawf province, on Tuesday. PIC/AFP

US officials held undisclosed talks with Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi representatives at the US Embassy in Muscat, Oman, over the weekend, mediated by the Omani government, five sources familiar with the matter said.

The meeting followed a major Houthi offensive that seized key Red Sea coastal territory from Saudi-backed forces. Despite designating the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organisation in March 2025, the Trump administration has maintained direct contact.

President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that the Houthis had reached out to request US non-intervention, and Vice President JD Vance confirmed ongoing direct communications on Monday. The two sides previously agreed to a May ceasefire following US airstrikes over Red Sea shipping attacks.

Separately, the US said that as of September 15, its forces redirected 103 commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz as part of its blockade against Iran, ensuring compliance with trade restrictions.

2025
Year the US designated Houthis a terror organisation

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