U.S. officials meet Houthis in Oman after Red Sea coast seizure; Houthis pledge not to attack U.S. ships
U.S. officials held direct talks with Houthi representatives in Muscat, Oman, over the weekend of September 12-13, following the Houthis' seizure of a strategic Red Sea coastal area. The meeting, organized by Omani mediators at the U.S. Embassy, saw the Houthis pledge not to attack American or Israeli vessels, only Saudi ships. The discussions mark rare direct U.S.-Houthi engagement amid heightened threats to Red Sea shipping.
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Cross-source coverage
Common ground
- The U.S. has no good options in the Red Sea and is stuck between protecting Saudi vessels, abandoning Riyadh, or accepting Houthi control over shipping.
- The Houthi promise not to attack American ships is practically unenforceable due to flags of convenience and will likely unravel.
- The U.S. bombing campaign alone has failed to stop Houthi attacks or secure the Red Sea.
- The meeting in Oman shows the U.S. is admitting military force isn't enough and needs to talk to the Houthis.
Points of contention
- Whether the Houthis are rational strategic actors or an untrustworthy ideological militia that breaks promises.
- Whether the U.S. is negotiating from weakness or making a pragmatic choice in a multipolar world.
- Whether China is a free-rider benefiting from U.S. security or a responsible actor that stays out of conflicts.
- Whether the Houthis have legitimate sovereign rights over Yemen's coastline or are an illegitimate group that seized power by force.
Blind spots
- No one addressed how the international community can actually verify or enforce any Houthi promises on shipping.
- The role of ordinary Yemeni civilians and the humanitarian crisis was completely ignored.
- There was no discussion of what happens if the Houthi-U.S. talks fail and attacks resume at full scale.
- The debate missed how Iran's direct involvement and interests shape Houthi decision-making beyond just providing support.
WorldAttention’s read
The U.S.-Houthi meeting in Oman is a clear sign that eight years of bombing and a terrorist designation have failed to achieve any strategic goal. The Houthis now hold the upper hand by controlling Yemen's coastline and disrupting global trade, forcing Washington into a difficult choice: protect Saudi ships and risk war with Iran, abandon a key ally, or accept that the Houthis have a veto over Red Sea security. While the agents disagreed on whether the Houthis are rational or reckless, and whether China is a free-rider or a model of non-intervention, they all agreed the U.S. has painted itself into a corner with no good way out. The real blind spot is that no one has a plan to enforce any deal or address the humanitarian disaster in Yemen, leaving the situation fragile and likely to fall apart.
Reporting timeline
U.S. Officials Hold Talks with Houthi Representatives in Oman; Houthis Pledge Not to Attack American Ships
According to U.S.-side reports on September 16, American officials met with representatives of Yemen's Houthi movement in Muscat, Oman, over the weekend of September 12-13. The talks took place at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat, following rapid Houthi advances along Yemen's coastal areas and their seizure of a strategic region near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Sources familiar with the discussions said the Houthi side told U.S. officials they did not intend to attack American or Israeli vessels and would target only Saudi Arabian ships. On September 12, while visiting Ireland, U.S. President Donald Trump also stated that the Houthis had informed the U.S. side that they 'do not want to fight America.' The report, attributed to CCTV News, highlights a potential de-escalation between the Houthis and the U.S. amid ongoing regional tensions.
Read sourceU.S. Officials and Houthi Representatives Reportedly Held Meeting in Oman
According to a report by U.S. news on September 16, U.S. officials recently held a meeting with representatives of the Houthi armed forces in Yemen in Muscat, the capital of Oman. The meeting took place at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat during the weekend of September 12th to 13th. This development comes as the Houthi forces have advanced rapidly in Yemen's coastal areas and now control strategic territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Citing people familiar with the matter, the Houthis told U.S. officials during the meeting that they do not plan to attack U.S. or Israeli ships and would only target Saudi Arabian vessels. U.S. President Trump also stated during his visit to Ireland on September 12 that the Houthis told the United States they 'do not want to go to war with the United States.' The report is sourced from CCTV News and aggregated by Financial News Agency (cls).
Read sourceU.S. Officials Met Houthi Representatives in Oman, Houthis Pledge Not to Attack U.S. Ships
According to Reuters, five sources revealed that U.S. officials met with representatives of Yemen's Houthi movement in Oman over the past weekend. The meeting, held at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat, was not publicly disclosed. The Omani government, a long-time mediator, helped organize the talks. Days earlier, the Houthis had seized a strategic stretch along the Red Sea coast in a major offensive, routing Saudi-backed forces. During Sunday's meeting, the Houthis told U.S. officials they had no intention of attacking American vessels and pledged to abide by the 2025 ceasefire agreement reached with the United States. One Yemeni source said the militia also stated it would not target Israeli ships or any commercial vessels, except those owned by Saudi Arabia. Two sources indicated the U.S. side was represented by embassy personnel.
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Report: U.S. Officials Held Talks with Houthi Rebels in Oman Last Weekend
According to a Reuters report cited by tradealpha, U.S. officials held talks with Houthi rebels in Oman over the past weekend. The meeting occurred after the Houthis seized a strategic area along the Red Sea coast. The report, attributed to unnamed sources, indicates direct diplomatic engagement between the United States and the Iran-backed group, which controls large parts of Yemen and has been targeting Red Sea shipping. The talks in Oman represent a rare instance of direct U.S.-Houthi dialogue amid ongoing regional tensions. The exact details of the discussions and any outcomes remain undisclosed.
Read sourceU.S. Officials Met with Houthis in Oman After Red Sea Coast Seizure: Sources
According to Reuters sources, U.S. officials held talks with the Houthi movement in Oman over the weekend. The meeting occurred after Houthi forces seized a strategic area along the Red Sea coast. The discussions represent a direct diplomatic engagement between the United States and the Iran-backed group, which has been targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The seizure of the coastal area escalates the threat to one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. The talks in Oman, a frequent mediator in regional conflicts, suggest Washington is seeking to de-escalate tensions through direct dialogue, though no details on the outcome or specific U.S. demands have been released. The Houthis have not officially commented on the meeting.