US reportedly held talks with Houthis

US officials have reportedly held talks with the leaders of Yemen's Houthis as the Iran-backed rebels and Saudi Arabia continue to exchange attacks.

Reuters news agency quoted sources as saying that US officials met Houthi representatives at the US Embassy in Oman's capital Muscat over the weekend.

The Houthis are stepping up their offensive against Yemen's interim government, which is supported by Saudi Arabia. They have expanded their control over areas surrounding the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key shipping route on the Red Sea.

The Houthi side reportedly told US officials they have no intention of attacking US vessels and that they would also not attack Israeli ships or other commercial vessels, except those belonging to Saudi Arabia.

US news website Axios cited sources as saying that US President Donald Trump is expected to hold talks with leaders of Gulf nations on September 22 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

The talks are expected to focus on US ideas for a strategy after its military operations against Iran come to an end. It remains to be seen whether they will break the impasse as fighting continues between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.