U.S. Officials Meet Houthi Delegation in Oman as Yemen’s Red Sea Front Expands

U.S. officials held a private meeting with senior representatives of Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat, Oman, over the weekend. The talks, arranged with Omani assistance, occurred days after the Houthis seized a strategic stretch of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, routing Saudi-backed forces and taking control of the historic port of Mocha and Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb strait. According to five sources familiar with the discussions, the Houthi delegation included Mohammad Abdulsalam—an Oman-based senior official under U.S. sanctions—and Abdelmalik al-Ajiri. U.S. representatives were embassy personnel; the State Department declined to confirm the meeting but reiterated that safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and preventing the export of terrorism remain core U.S. interests.

U.S. and Houthis hold Oman talks amid Yemen escalation The Jerusalem PostThe Straits Times

• Designation and ceasefire – The Trump administration designated the Houthis a foreign terrorist organization in March 2025, criminalising support for the group. Washington negotiated a ceasefire with the Houthis in May 2025 after a two-month bombing campaign aimed at halting attacks on Red Sea shipping.

U.S. and Houthis hold Oman talks amid Yemen escalation

• Recent Houthi gains – In early September 2026 the Houthis captured the entire Red Sea coastline of Yemen, including Mocha and Perim Island, and declared a blockade of Saudi shipping in response to a Saudi blockade of Yemeni ports.

The Jerusalem PostThe Straits TimesU.S. and Houthis hold Oman talks amid Yemen escalation

• March 2025 – Houthis designated a foreign terrorist organization.

The Straits Times

• May 2025 – Ceasefire reached between the United States and the Houthis.

U.S. and Houthis hold Oman talks amid Yemen escalation

• Early September 2026 – Houthis seize Mocha, Perim Island and the Red Sea coastline.

The Jerusalem Post

• September 14 2026 – Vice President Vance states the United States is in direct conversations with the Houthis.

Vance says US in direct talks with Houthis after Red Sea island seizure

• Weekend of September 12-13 2026 – Meeting held at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat.

The Jerusalem Post

• The captured territory includes the historic port of Mocha and Perim Island, a key point at the mouth of the Bab el-Mandeb strait.

Yemen’s Houthis seize Red Sea Hanish archipelago as US VP Vance confirms talks with group

• President Trump said the Houthis had contacted his administration and asked the United States to stay out of the Yemen war.

The Straits Times

• Vice President Vance told reporters the United States is in direct contact with the Houthis and is closely monitoring the situation.

Vance says US in direct talks with Houthis after Red Sea island seizure

• State Department spokesperson declined to confirm the meeting but emphasized that protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and preventing the spread of terrorism are core U.S. interests.

The Jerusalem Post