JD Vance confirms direct contact with Houthis

According to British media, JD Vance has confirmed direct contact with the Houthis. The Houthis have assured the United States that the 2025 ceasefire will hold.

On the occasion, the Houthis told the United States that American ships in the Red Sea are not their target. Vessels linked to Saudi Arabia are considered targets.

Meanwhile, the United States expressed concern over the Houthi advance in Yemen and did not provide military support to Saudi Arabia. According to a British news agency, Saudi Arabia had asked President Donald Trump to carry out strikes on the Houthis. Trump rejected the request.

It may be recalled that in March 2025 the United States designated the Houthis a foreign terrorist organisation.

Earlier, according to the American broadcaster Axios and a British news agency, US diplomats met Houthi representatives from Yemen in Oman. The meeting came as the Houthis made major gains in Red Sea coastal areas in recent days and pushed back Saudi-backed forces.

According to Axios, the meeting took place in Muscat with the help of the Omani government. It focused on maintaining the ceasefire between the United States and the Houthis and ensuring the security of the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

According to a Yemeni source, the Houthis also said they would not attack Israeli or other commercial ships. However, ships linked to Saudi Arabia would not be covered by this exemption.

The US State Department had declined to comment on this particular meeting. However, a spokesperson said that protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and preventing Terrorism in the Middle East are among the core interests of the United States.