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The Houthi movement Ansar Allah and the United States have agreed to a ceasefire mediated by Oman. The announcement was made by Oman’s Foreign Ministry, which stated that recent negotiations have helped de-escalate tensions between the two sides.

Under the agreement, neither party will conduct attacks against the other, ensuring the safety of US vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This truce comes as the Houthis had escalated operations against Israeli-linked ships and targets in response to the war in Gaza.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched long-range missile attacks, disrupting a key global shipping route that handles around 12% of world maritime trade. The assaults forced commercial vessels to reroute around southern Africa, significantly impacting global supply chains.

A senior Houthi official stated that their campaign aimed to support Gaza by pressuring Israel and facilitating humanitarian aid. He also referenced Donald Trump’s recent remarks about ending US military actions in Yemen, calling it a potential victory for their cause.

Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high. Since March 15, the US has conducted repeated airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas to deter further attacks. The situation remains volatile, with implications for regional stability and the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Presidents Putin and Pezeshkian also addressed the expansion of bilateral cooperation. On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian in which they discussed nuclear negotiations with the United States.

“Russia confirmed its willingness to contribute to the advancement of this dialogue with the United States in order to reach a fair agreement based on the principles of international law,” the Kremlin stated, mentioning that the two leaders also addressed the expansion of bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by Moscow and Tehran.

Unlike the agreement signed with North Korea, this one does not include mutual military assistance in the event of aggression, but it does make Russia and Iran strategic partners in matters related to the economy, energy, defense, culture, and counterterrorism. The Iran-Russia agreement was signed in January, three days before the inauguration of Donald Trump, who is threatening Iran with retaliation if it refuses to negotiate its nuclear program.

During a recent visit to Moscow by Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araqchi, Russia offered to participate as a mediator in the negotiations if both Iran and the U.S. consider it appropriate. On Monday, Iran insisted on its right to operate a nuclear program after the President of the United States stated that he seeks the “total dismantlement” of the Persian country’s atomic capabilities.

“The positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the nation’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy are consistent, logical, and based on international law,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei at a press conference. In the negotiations, Iran is seeking the lifting of economic sanctions and is only willing to limit its nuclear capabilities, while the United States has also targeted Iran’s missile program and Tehran’s support for regional groups such as the Houthis in Yemen.