ALBAWABA- The Sultanate of Oman announced on Tuesday evening that it has successfully mediated a de-escalation agreement between the United States and Yemen’s Houthi movement (Ansar Allah), under which both parties have committed not to target each other, including U.S. ships in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab.
In a statement, Oman’s Foreign Ministry said the agreement follows intensive communications with both Washington and the Houthi leadership in Sana’a, and aims to reduce regional tensions and ensure maritime security.
"The two sides have agreed to refrain from hostile actions against each other, particularly in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab, to guarantee freedom of navigation and the uninterrupted flow of international commerce," the statement read.
The U.S. State Department confirmed that the agreement is limited in scope: if the Houthis cease targeting commercial and naval vessels, the U.S. will, in turn, halt its military operations against them.
The move has been cautiously welcomed by regional actors, with Qatar expressing hope that the truce will ensure maritime safety and open the door to broader stability.
However, the narrative took a dramatic turn after U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking at a campaign rally, claimed the Houthis had asked Washington to stop airstrikes, asserting that they “no longer want to fight” and promising to “immediately stop bombing them.”
According to Trump, the Houthis pleaded: “Please stop bombing us, and we will stop targeting ships.” He added that although no formal deal had been signed, he welcomed the message and was prepared to de-escalate.
The Houthis swiftly rejected Trump’s framing. Senior political figure Mohammed Ali al-Houthi dismissed the suggestion of capitulation, stating, “What we refused to accept in Palestine, we will not accept in Yemen.”
He reaffirmed the group’s commitment to supporting Gaza and warned that retaliation was forthcoming, declaring that “Netanyahu must prepare his resignation.”
Meanwhile, Israeli media outlet Israel Hayom, citing an informed Israeli source, described Trump’s announcement as “very bad news for Israel,” reflecting concerns in Tel Aviv over any perceived U.S. accommodation with the Houthis.
