Reuters reported on the meeting of senior American officials with representatives of the Houthis in Oman

Reuters reported on the meeting of senior American officials with representatives of the Houthis in Oman

Reuters news agency, citing five knowledgeable sources, reported that US officials met with representatives of the Iran-backed Houthis in Oman late last week.

According to this report published on Wednesday, September 25, this meeting was held after the Houthis made progress in capturing strategic areas around the Bablemnad Strait.

Three sources told Reuters that the meeting between the American officials and Houthi representatives was held in private at the American Embassy in Muscat, the capital of Oman. Two sources told Reuters that the Omani government cooperated as a mediator in organizing and holding this meeting.

In March 2025, the administration of Donald Trump designated the Houthis as a "foreign assassination organization". However, Washington has since been negotiating with the group. Among other things, after two months of bombing this group's positions to stop attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, he reached a cease-fire agreement with them in May last year.

According to two knowledgeable sources, Reuters reported that a senior Houthi official named Mohammed Abdel Salam was present at the meeting with American officials. His name is on the US sanctions list.

Informed sources told Reuters in a meeting with US officials that the Houthis have no intention of a ground attack on US vessels and are abiding by the 2025 ceasefire with the United States.

According to one of these sources, this militant group also announced that it would not attack Israeli captive ships or other ships, except those belonging to Saudi Arabia. Reuters news agency says that a US State Department spokesman did not confirm the meeting in response to a question about the meeting with the Houthis in Oman, but stated that maintaining the freedom of shipping in the Red Sea and preventing the export of assassinations are considered the main interests of the United States.

United States President Donald Trump said last Saturday that the Houthis contacted his administration and asked the United States to stay away from the war in Yemen. Jeddy Vance, the vice president, also announced on Monday without providing details that the United States is in direct contact with this group.