US officials decide against backing Saudi Arabia in Yemen after meeting Houthi leaders
Armed group appears to reach agreement with Trump administration over safety of Red Sea shipping
TL;DR
- US officials met Houthi leaders in Muscat, Oman, influencing the US decision not to intervene in Yemen.
- Houthis assured the US that international shipping in the Red Sea is safe, with Saudi-linked shipping being the only target.
- The US refusal to engage militarily pressures Saudi Arabia to seek a diplomatic solution or build a regional alliance.
- Saudi Arabia claimed the Houthis attacked Mecca with a drone, a claim dismissed as a lie by the Houthi leadership.
- Separately, a secret meeting of military commanders from the US, Israel, and several Arab states discussed the war against Iran in Germany.
- Oil prices remain high, and a key Saudi pipeline is closed due to an incident.