Play store
The United States is holding direct talks with Yemen’s Houthi movement, Vice President JD Vance has said, amid escalating fighting between the Iran-backed group and Saudi Arabia.
Vance said Washington was in direct communication with the Houthis as the situation in Yemen remained “fluid and dynamic”.
US officials reportedly met Houthi representatives in Muscat, Oman, over the weekend.
The talks, facilitated by Oman, were held at the US Embassy in Muscat, according to sources cited by Reuters.
During the meeting, the Houthis reportedly told US officials they had no intention of attacking American vessels and remained committed to a 2025 ceasefire with Washington.
The US State Department declined to comment on the specific meeting but said safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea remained a core US interest.
The talks come as Houthi forces have expanded their control along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and fighting with Saudi-backed forces has intensified. Saudi Arabia has also sought military support from allies as it faces continued Houthi attacks.