Yemen Corridor Talks
Houthis Expand Control Along Yemen Coast as U.S. Holds Direct Talks
Anonymous
Key Points
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The Trump administration designated the Houthis a foreign terrorist organization in March 2025, then conducted a two-month bombing campaign against the group before reaching the May ceasefire.
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Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a Houthi drone before it entered the airspace over Mecca, calling the incident a deliberate provocation; the Houthis denied responsibility and described the accusation as a recycled claim.
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The conflict has disrupted Saudi oil logistics: loadings at Yanbu were suspended, some deliveries to European customers were canceled and the East-West pipeline was shut after sustaining multiple strikes. Saudi Arabia offered ship-to-ship transfers near Oman’s Sohar port, while U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said repairs would take days rather than weeks.
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President Donald Trump said the Houthis had contacted his administration and asked the United States to stay out of the Yemen war, adding context to Washington’s decision to pursue communications rather than direct military involvement.
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The U.S. ambassador did not attend the Muscat meeting; the American side was represented by embassy diplomats, according to the sources cited by Axios.
The Iran-backed Houthis have seized key positions along Yemen's Red Sea coast, capturing the port city of Mokha, Mayun Island, and the Hanish Islands in a sweeping offensive that threatens global shipping and energy supplies Mid-Day. The expansion gives the group control over much of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a chokepoint handling about 12% of global trade. U.S. officials met secretly with Houthi representatives in Muscat over the weekend to preserve a May 2025 ceasefire and keep the strategic waterway open Economic Times.
The Houthis pledged not to attack American, Israeli, or commercial vessels, limiting strikes to Saudi-linked ships TRT World. Vice President JD Vance confirmed direct U.S. communications with the group, while President Trump said the Houthis asked Washington to stay out of Yemen's war. Saudi Arabia called for stronger U.S. involvement but has so far been rebuffed, as Washington pursues diplomacy over direct military action The Print.
Houthis Seize Critical Red Sea Positions
Over two days in mid-September, Iran-backed Houthi forces captured multiple strategic locations along Yemen's coast. They took the port city of Mokha, Mayun Island, and the Hanish Islands—a 160-kilometer stretch controlling access to the Bab al-Mandab Strait Devdiscourse. The offensive also included captures of Dhubab and Al-Khawkhah, giving the group unprecedented control over the vital shipping lane Mid-Day.
These positions matter enormously for global trade. The Bab al-Mandab connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and handles about 12% of worldwide commerce. Control of both sides of the strait gives the Houthis power to influence shipping, threaten energy supplies, and disrupt routes that bypass the Suez Canal The Print.
Secret U.S.-Houthi Talks Aim to Preserve Ceasefire
U.S. Embassy diplomats—not the ambassador—met secretly with Houthi representatives in Muscat, Oman, on September 13, according to multiple sources Mid-Day. The delegation included sanctioned Houthi officials Mohammad Abdulsalam and Abdelmalik al-Ajiri. Oman facilitated the talks, which focused on keeping the Red Sea open for commerce and maintaining the ceasefire reached in May 2025 Economic Times.
The Houthis reportedly promised not to target American, Israeli, or other commercial vessels. They said attacks would be limited to ships linked to Saudi Arabia TRT World. Vice President JD Vance later confirmed direct U.S. communications with the group. President Trump added context, saying the Houthis contacted his administration asking Washington to stay out of Yemen's war The Print.
Saudi Oil Pipeline Shut After Houthi Strikes
Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, which carries 4-5 million barrels per day to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, shut down after sustaining multiple drone and missile strikes on September 10. Yanbu crude loadings were suspended by September 11 Economic Times. The closure forced Saudi Arabia to offer ship-to-ship transfers near Oman's Sohar port as an alternative route Mid-Day.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told CNBC that repairs would take days rather than weeks, describing it as a short disruption. However, market observers noted that the full restart timeline remains uncertain, keeping Brent crude elevated above $107 per barrel Economic Times. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called President Trump twice requesting military strikes, but Trump rejected direct U.S. intervention The Print.
Saudi Drone Interception Raises Tensions with Houthis
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a Houthi drone about 70 kilometers south of Mecca on September 15. Saudi coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki called the incident a deliberate provocation and a red line, since Mecca is Islam's holiest site The Print. Jordan, Kuwait, and the UAE issued formal condemnations of the alleged strike Mid-Day.
The Houthis denied responsibility and described the accusation as recycled propaganda. Iran's foreign ministry denied directing or participating in the coastal campaign Economic Times. Despite the tension, U.S. officials chose dialogue over military action, maintaining that diplomatic channels offer a better path than direct strikes to protect American interests and prevent regional escalation The Print.
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