Representatives from the American government held an undisclosed meeting with senior Houthi leaders on Sunday in Muscat to discuss de-escalation. The Iran-backed group promised to avoid attacks on American, Israeli, and most commercial vessels, specifying that only Saudi Arabian ships would remain targets. The Houthi delegation included sanctioned official Mohammad Abdulsalam and Abdelmalik al-Ajri following the group's seizure of Perim Island and a strategic stretch of the Red Sea coast.

Washington promised not to provide air support to forces backed by Saudi Arabia or strike Houthi territories in exchange for keeping the Bab al-Mandab open to shipping. While the State Department did not confirm the Muscat meeting, CENTCOM spokesperson Tim Hawkins confirmed that US advisors are providing on the ground support to Saudi partners in Yemen. Hawkins also noted that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial traffic, and the Houthis indicated they remain committed to a 2025 ceasefire.