The US State Department issued a statement confirming that the US special envoy to Yemen, Tim Lenderking, traveled to the Omani capital, Muscat, and the Saudi capital, Riyadh, from November 24 to 25.

During this visit, Special Envoy Lenderking met with his counterparts in Oman and Saudi Arabia to discuss the need to stop Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which continue to endanger the lives of civilian seafarers and harm economies in the region. These attacks have also created barriers to vital humanitarian assistance reaching Yemenis and people in need across the region.

The statement indicated that the Special Envoy stressed the necessary steps to confront Houthi attacks, including identifying and intercepting illicit goods and weapons coming from Iran, and deterring Houthi cooperation with malicious regional and international actors.

In his meetings, Lenderking addressed the United States' deep concern about the Houthis' continued and illegal detention of United Nations and embassy employees, as well as humanitarian workers. He expressed US concern about the Houthis' plan to refer some detainees to sham "security courts," known for issuing death sentences to political prisoners based on forced confessions.

The Special Envoy also highlighted the vital role of international staff and diplomats in Yemen, and stressed the need to ensure their ability to provide essential and life-saving assistance to the Yemeni people freely and safely.