The United States has stepped back from promising direct military assistance to Saudi Arabia following a series of confidential talks held with Houthi rebels in Oman, sources familiar with the matter confirmed. The development marks a subtle but notable shift in Washington's approach to the protracted Yemen conflict and raises questions about how firmly the US will stand behind its Gulf ally in any escalation.
The talks, conducted in the Omani capital Muscat, brought together American diplomats and representatives of the Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which controls large swathes of northwestern Yemen including the capital Sanaa. According to individuals briefed on the discussions, the US sought to gauge the rebels' intentions and explore whether a de-escalation framework could be negotiated — without committing to any enforcement mechanism or military backing for Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh had reportedly expected stronger signals of American support ahead of the talks, particularly given the kingdom's long-standing military campaign in Yemen that began in 2015. Saudi officials view the Houthi group as an existential threat and have pressed the US repeatedly for enhanced defense cooperation, including intelligence sharing and arms transfers.
However, US officials appear cautious about being drawn deeper into another Middle Eastern conflict, especially as Washington manages competing strategic priorities across Eastern Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and other flashpoints. Diplomatic engagement with the Houthis through Oman — a traditional neutral facilitator — is seen as a way to keep communication open while avoiding the political costs of overt military alignment.
The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, have carried out cross-border attacks and missile strikes on Saudi territory in recent years, targeting infrastructure and military sites. They also control key Red Sea approaches, a factor that has drawn international attention to their strategic reach.
Analysts note that the US stance reflects a broader recalibration: maintaining the Saudi alliance where it serves American interests while preserving flexibility to pursue indirect diplomacy with non-state actors when the opportunity arises. For now, the door for dialogue remains slightly ajar, but the cost of that openness may fall on Riyadh's concerns.
