US and Yemen's Houthis reportedly reach secret Red Sea shipping accord

The reported understanding between Washington and the Iran-backed Houthis represents a significant shift in US approach to the Yemen conflict, where the militant group has controlled much of the population centers in the war-torn nation for years.

Under the terms of the alleged arrangement, the Houthis would cease attacks on commercial shipping and allow unimpeded transit through the strategically vital Red Sea corridor, one of the world's most important maritime trade routes. In return, the United States would refrain from conducting military strikes against the group, according to the reports.

The Red Sea has emerged as a flashpoint for regional tensions, with the Houthis previously targeting merchant vessels and declaring support for Palestinian causes. The corridor handles approximately 12 percent of global trade, making stability in the waterway critical for international commerce.

The existence of such negotiations underscores the complex diplomatic calculations at play in Yemen, where a yearslong civil war has created a humanitarian crisis and fractured regional alliances. Any formal agreement would likely require careful calibration among Washington's regional partners who maintain varying interests in Yemen's future.

Neither the US government nor Houthi representatives have publicly confirmed details of the reported accord, and the full scope of any understanding remains unclear.