Houthis Assure No Attacks on US Ships Amid Ongoing Tensions

WHO:

ABC News - A senior official with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, Mohamed al-Bukhaiti, and U.S. President Donald Trump are involved in the discussions regarding U.S. vessel safety.

ABC News - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and CIA Director John Ratcliffe are also mentioned in the context of diplomatic activities.

WHAT:

ABC News - The Houthi rebels assured the Trump administration that they will not attack U.S. vessels in the Red Sea.

ABC News - The Houthis fired a ballistic missile at Saudi Arabia's capital over the weekend.

ABC News - The Iranian Supreme National Security Council chief, Mohsen Rezaei, stated that Iran is awaiting a U.S. response to conditions for ending the war.

WHERE:

ABC News - The discussions took place in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and the missile was fired towards Saudi Arabia's capital.

ABC News - CIA Director John Ratcliffe was in Egypt meeting with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.

WHEN:

ABC News - The Houthi official's comments were made following their rapid advance down Yemen’s western coast to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait earlier in the month.

ABC News - The Iranian Foreign Minister is scheduled to stop in Qatar before attending the U.N. General Assembly.

WHY:

ABC News - The Houthi official warned countries against joining Saudi Arabia in Yemen’s revived civil war, indicating a desire to avoid conflict with the U.S. while focusing on Saudi Arabia.

HOW:

ABC News - The Houthis communicated their assurance to the Trump administration through a direct outreach after their military actions in Yemen.

(UPDATED September 21, 2026 08:03 UTC)

In a significant development, Houthi official Mohamed al-Bukhaiti has assured President Trump that they will not attack U.S. vessels in the Red Sea, following discussions in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. This comes after the Houthis fired a ballistic missile at Saudi Arabia's capital over the weekend, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to stop in Qatar before attending the U.N. General Assembly. Meanwhile, CIA Director John Ratcliffe is in Egypt meeting with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, as the Iranian Supreme National Security Council chief, Mohsen Rezaei, awaits a U.S. response regarding conditions to end the ongoing conflict.