U.S. Diplomats Hold Meeting with Houthis Amid Red Sea Tensions

<p>American diplomats met over the weekend with Houthi representatives at the U.S. embassy in Oman to discuss tensions in the Red Sea, according to a regional source familiar with the issue.</p><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> The meeting in Muscat, organized with the assistance of the Omani government, focused on maintaining a ceasefire between the U.S. and Houthis and ensuring that the Bab al-Mandeb Strait remains open, the source stated.</p><hr /><ul><li>The U.S. is in a sensitive position, aiming to keep a critical shipping lane open without becoming involved in Saudi Arabia's conflict in Yemen against the Iran-backed Houthis. Washington has so far rejected Saudi requests for military involvement.</li><li>The State Department declined to comment on the meeting.</li></ul><p><strong>Driving the news:</strong> The source indicated that U.S. diplomats represented the country in the meeting, although the ambassador did not attend.</p><ul><li>During the meeting, Houthi representatives expressed their desire for the May 2025 ceasefire with the U.S. to continue.</li><li>They also clarified that their attacks were directed solely at Saudi vessels amid renewed fighting, committing to allow freedom of navigation for all other ships through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.</li><li>Reuters first reported on the meeting.</li></ul><p><strong>What they're saying:</strong> On Monday, a day after the meeting, Vice President Vance informed reporters that the U.S. is negotiating with the Houthis.</p><ul><li>"We've also been engaged in direct conversations with the Houthis themselves, so we actually feel like we are on top of the situation," he stated.</li></ul><p><strong>Between the lines:</strong> Secretary of State Rubio spoke on Tuesday with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi to discuss de-escalation efforts in the region, according to the State Department.</p><ul><li>This call followed weeks of tensions between the U.S. and Oman, particularly after President Trump threatened to bomb Oman due to its discussions with Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz.</li></ul><p><strong>State of play:</strong> Recent days have seen escalating fighting between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, with the Houthis launching a drone attack towards Mecca and firing missiles at other cities in the kingdom.</p><ul><li>The Houthis maintain control over the coastal area and several islands in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.</li><li>In response, the Saudis have intensified their airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen, but the forces they support have not yet mounted an effective ground counteroffensive.</li></ul>