US tries to persuade Iran to use its influence over Houthis, reports say

The United States has been engaged in secret talks with Iran this year, aiming to persuade Tehran to use its influence over Yemen's Houthi movement to halt attacks on ships in the Red Sea, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, Report informs.

According to the report, these discussions were confirmed by both American and Iranian officials. The initial dialogue concerning this matter was conducted in Oman approximately ten months ago. The US delegation was led by Brett McGurk, the White House's Middle East adviser, and Abram Paley, the Iran envoy, while Iran was represented by Ali Bagheri Kani, the deputy foreign minister and top nuclear negotiator.

Rather than direct engagement, the delegations utilized intermediaries in Oman for communication. While a subsequent round of discussions was scheduled for February, it was deferred due to the US's concentrated efforts to address the Gaza Strip conflict.

The talks encompassed topics beyond the immediate regional security concerns, such as the safety of maritime navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, extending to deliberations on Iran’s nuclear program.