Houthi leaders meet with US officials in Oman, tell them they have no intention of attacking ships

[Cairo, Washington Current Affairs] Reuters reported on the 16th that leaders of Yemen's pro-Iranian Houthi movement met with US officials in Oman's capital Muscat on the 13th. The Houthis have said they have no intention of attacking U.S. ships and intend to abide by the ceasefire signed in 2025.

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According to Reuters, the meeting was mediated by Oman and took place at the US embassy. The Houthis have said they will not target foreign ships, including those from Israel, but they say Saudi Arabia, which supports Yemen's transitional government, is an exception.

On the 16th, a spokesperson for the US State Department told Jiji Press, ``We will not comment on this reported meeting.'' "We continue to communicate regularly with our allies and friends in the Middle East regarding the situation in Yemen," he added. He emphasized that the two countries are focused on sharing common counterterrorism goals, including with regard to the Houthis.

The conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia escalated in July and continues to exchange attacks. Starting in September, the group has taken control of strategic points in the Red Sea area one after another. Saudi Arabia, threatened with its oil exports, asked the United States for military intervention, but the United States, wary of getting drawn into a conflict, reportedly refused.