US, Iran Reportedly Engage in Secret Dialogue to Curb Red Sea Shipping Attacks

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States has conducted secret talks with Iran aimed at persuading Tehran to use its leverage over Yemen's Houthi movement to convince them to halt their attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.
Sputnik
According to the report, the talks took place in Oman this January and also addressed concerns over Iran's nuclear program. Omani officials facilitated the talks by shuttling between the two sides so they did not have to engage directly, the report said.
The report said that the US was represented by the Middle East adviser Brett McGurk and Iran envoy Abram Paley, while Iran's delegation was led by deputy foreign minister and top nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani.
Yemen's Houthi rebels said in November they would attack Israeli-linked ships passing through the Red Sea in retaliation for the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. They have since launched dozens of attacks on ships in the region, prompting retaliatory airstrikes from the UK and the US.