The development is significant because the Houthis made rapid gains last week in Yemen’s Red Sea region and captured several islands near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The route is considered highly important for Saudi Arabia’s oil exports. During the same period, Houthi drones and missiles also targeted Saudi cities and oil-related sites. An alert was even issued over Houthi drones in Mecca.
According to reports, US officials and Houthi representatives met in Muscat, the capital of Oman, last weekend. The meeting was reportedly held with Oman acting as a mediator. The Houthi delegation included senior leaders such as Mohammed Abdulsalam and Abdelmalek Al-Ajri.
Reports said the Houthis assured the United States that they would not target American ships and would adhere to the ceasefire reached in 2025. The Houthis were reported to have said that they would target Israeli ships, while continuing to threaten Saudi ships and vessels carrying Saudi oil.
US Vice President JD Vance has also said that the United States is in direct talks with the Houthis. He said the US believes it is keeping a close watch on the situation.
At the same time, Pakistan and Turkey have refused to launch direct combat operations in Yemen. The United States and Britain have also not accepted Saudi Arabia’s request for airstrikes against Houthi positions. Reports have even claimed that Saudi Arabia has approached Israel for intelligence assistance.
If the United States and the Houthis reach some form of understanding, while the Houthis continue targeting Saudi ships but leave American or other international vessels alone, pressure on Saudi Arabia could increase further.
For now, it remains unclear whether the reported US-Houthi understanding is a formal deal or only an informal arrangement. However, the development indicates that Saudi Arabia is not receiving the military support it expected from its key allies in its fight against the Houthis and could face the growing threat more alone.
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