Washington D.C., May 7, 2025 – Following weeks of backchannel diplomacy between the United States and Yemen’s Houthi movement, they have reached an tentative truce. Former U.S. President Donald Trump hinted that an announcement may come shortly during his tour of Middle Eastern countries.
On Tuesday, U.S. and regional officials confirmed a ceasefire which marks an important step toward de-escalating one of the region’s most intractable conflicts. The truce comes following months of rising tension in the Red Sea where Houthi-aligned forces have allegedly targeted international shipping routes, prompting U.S. military responses as well as fears of wider conflict.
“This agreement marks an important step toward ending unnecessary violence and restoring stability in Yemen,” according to a senior State Department official speaking on condition of anonymity. It was reached through indirect talks facilitated by regional partners; we greatly value their help and thank them.”
Sources report that Oman and Qatar played vital roles in brokering the agreement between Washington and Houthi rebels, who do not hold official recognition from Washington but control much of northern Yemen, including Sanaa as capital city.
According to reports, this truce provides for an end of hostilities, an agreement for humanitarian aid passage and steps toward revitalizing UN-led peace negotiations.
Though the Biden administration has taken an unassuming approach in providing details, former President Trump–who is widely anticipated to launch another White House bid–has taken advantage of this situation to assert a personal stake in how things unfold.
“I have something very big to say about the Middle East–perhaps my most significant statement yet!” Donald Trump announced during a press stop in Florida on Tuesday. “You will hear it very shortly before I head there.”
Though his statement remained vague, Trump’s remark prompted speculation regarding possible meetings or participation in an ambitious regional peace initiative during his tour which is scheduled to include stops in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Israel.
Donald Trump has often touted his involvement in the 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states. His renewed focus on Middle East diplomacy coupled with his announcement of an anti-Houthi truce has drawn notice from international observers.
Houthi officials in Sanaa welcomed the ceasefire but cautioned it should only serve as a “window for peace,” not as an end-all solution. Trust must be rebuilt between sides, and Yemen’s sovereignty respected, according to one spokesperson from their political bureau.
The United Nations welcomed the agreement as a “critical opportunity,” calling upon all sides to work towards a lasting political settlement. For now, however, the truce only offers temporary respite in an ongoing war that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and uprooted millions.