U.S. Officials Hold Secret Talks with Houthi Representatives in Oman

U.S. authorities held a secret meeting with Yemeni Houthi representatives over the weekend in Oman, reported Reuters citing five anonymous sources. The talks took place at the U.S. embassy in Muscat, Oman, with Omani government facilitating the discussions. According to the report, U.S. embassy staff attended on behalf of Washington, while Houthi delegation included Mohammad Abdulsalam and Abdelmalik al-Ajiri. A Yemeni source stated the Houthis committed not to attack Israeli vessels or commercial ships not owned by Saudi Arabia. The U.S. State Department did not confirm the meeting but emphasized protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and preventing terrorism from spreading in the Middle East as core American interests.