US Secretly Negotiated with Iran, Media Reports

The US has conducted secret negotiations with Iran in January to persuade Tehran to exert influence over the Houthis, the ruling movement in northern Yemen, against a backdrop of attacks on ships in the Red Sea. This was reported by the Financial Times, citing American and Iranian officials, as relayed by RIA Novosti.

According to the newspaper, the US has engaged in secret talks with Iran this year aimed at convincing Tehran to leverage its influence over the Yemeni Houthis to put an end to the attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

It is noted that the negotiations took place in January in Oman, with representatives from the US and Iran communicating through intermediaries—specifically, Omani officials. The results of the negotiations have not been specified.

The Houthis, ruling the majority of the Yemeni coastline along the Red Sea, previously warned that they would target any vessels connected to Israel and urged other nations to withdraw their crews.

Furthermore, the Houthis have stated that their actions in the Red Sea are aimed at assisting Palestinians in Gaza, asserting that they do not disrupt maritime navigation in the region.