The meeting was held at the US Embassy, where the Houthis assured they would not attack US naval vessels, Reuters reported.
MUSCAT, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 16th Sep, 2026) A secret meeting was held in Muscat, the capital of Oman, as part of direct talks between representatives of the United States and the Houthis.
US Vice President J.D. Vance confirmed direct talks between the two sides while speaking to journalists ahead of a rally held for the midterm elections in Kansas City, Missouri, on 14th Sep.
Global news agency Reuters, citing its sources, reported that the Houthis assured US officials during the meeting that they would not attack US naval vessels and expressed their commitment to the 2025 ceasefire.
The report said the Houthis also informed US officials that they would not attack Israeli naval vessels.
According to the report, the meeting between Houthi and US officials took place at the US Embassy in Muscat at the beginning of this week, with senior Houthi leaders in attendance.
The government of Oman helped arrange the talks, while the US delegation included embassy officials.
The report also said the undeclared meeting between US officials and Houthi representatives took place at the US Embassy in Muscat at the end of last week, with Oman facilitating the talks.
Sources said Houthi representatives assured US officials that they did not intend to target US naval vessels; however, the Houthis did not agree to give up their right to take action against Saudi Arabia.
According to the report, senior Houthi figures Mohammed Abdul Salam and Abdul Malik al-Ajri also attended the talks.
The secret contact has emerged at a time of rising tensions in the middle East, while the safety of shipping in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb has become a major global concern.
Sources said Saudi Arabia had requested military assistance from the United States in view of the Houthis’ recent activities, but Washington had not made any final decision regarding direct US military action.
The US State Department has neither officially confirmed nor denied the meeting.
US officials said Washington was continuing its diplomatic contacts for maritime security and stability in the region.
Analysts said direct contact between the United States and the Houthis indicated that diplomatic channels remained open despite ongoing tensions in the region. However, the situation remained complicated because of the Houthis’ position regarding Saudi Arabia.
