Saudi Arabia is facing a renewed offensive by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement, while its key ally, the United States, appears reluctant to directly intervene against the group. Recent US-Houthi contacts in Oman have raised questions about whether Washington is prioritising the safety of American and international shipping over military support for Riyadh.
US officials met representatives of the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, at the US Embassy in Muscat over the weekend, according to sources cited by Reuters. Oman reportedly helped facilitate the meeting as part of its long-standing role as a regional mediator.
The talks came shortly after the Houthis made significant territorial gains along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including the capture of the strategic port of Mocha and nearby positions. The group has also expanded its presence around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital maritime route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
US-HOUTHI TALKS IN OMAN
The Muscat meeting reportedly involved US embassy personnel and senior Houthi representatives, including Mohammad Abdulsalam. According to Reuters, Houthi representatives assured US officials that they would not target American vessels and would maintain the 2025 ceasefire between Washington and the group.
US Vice President JD Vance subsequently confirmed that Washington had been in direct contact with the Houthis, saying the administration believed it was “on top of the situation”.
However, neither Washington nor the Houthis has publicly confirmed a formal new agreement.
A former US deputy ambassador to Yemen, Nabeel Khoury, told The Guardian that the talks appeared to point towards a “kind of tacit understanding” between the Trump administration and the Houthis. Under such an arrangement, the group would avoid attacks on American and international shipping while continuing its confrontation with Saudi Arabia.
WHY SAUDI ARABIA IS CONCERNED
The development comes as Saudi-backed forces struggle to contain the Houthi advance inside Yemen. The group has captured strategically important territory along the Red Sea coast and seized islands near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Saudi Arabia has responded with airstrikes, but the attacks have not stopped the Houthi advance. Riyadh has also sought additional military assistance from its allies.
Pakistan and Turkey have indicated they are not prepared to undertake combat operations in Yemen, while Washington has so far stopped short of launching a new direct military campaign against the Houthis.
Reuters reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper in Jeddah after seeking American military assistance. Washington declined direct strikes but committed to intelligence-sharing and targeting assistance.
RED SEA SHIPPING AT THE CENTRE
For Washington, protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea remains a major concern. The Houthis previously disrupted commercial shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait with repeated missile and drone attacks.
The US launched military operations against Houthi positions in response before reaching a ceasefire with the group in 2025. The new talks suggest Washington may be attempting to prevent another prolonged military campaign while securing guarantees for international shipping.
The stakes are high because the Bab el-Mandeb is a major global trade route. Recent Houthi advances have already raised concerns about oil supplies and shipping security.
NO FORMAL DEAL CONFIRMED
Despite reports of assurances from the Houthis, there is currently no public confirmation of a new formal US-Houthi agreement. What appears clear is that Washington and Ansar Allah have resumed direct communication while Saudi Arabia faces increasing military pressure.
For Riyadh, the situation presents a difficult challenge. Its forces and allies are attempting to push back the Houthi advance, while the United States appears focused on preventing attacks on American and international shipping rather than committing to direct combat.
As fighting continues in Yemen, the outcome of the US-Houthi contacts could have wider consequences for Saudi security, Red Sea shipping and the broader regional conflict. The immediate question is whether the reported understanding will hold—or whether continued Houthi attacks on Saudi targets will eventually force Washington to reconsider its position.
