Washington, D.C. — In a significant shift in U.S. military policy, President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday a halt to airstrikes against the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen, responding to the group’s assertion that they no longer wish to engage in hostilities. The announcement was made during a discussion with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House.

“We will respect their request and cease our military actions,” Trump stated, referencing the air campaign initiated in March to counter Houthi attacks on shipping lanes and threats to Israel. He expressed optimism regarding the rebels’ commitment to abstain from further attacks, adding, “They have capitulated and stated clearly they will not fire upon ships any longer.”

A defense official confirmed that U.S. military forces were briefed on a stand-down order related to operations against the Houthis, as diplomatic overtures intensified among the U.S., Oman, and the rebel group. This new understanding aims to facilitate momentum in ongoing nuclear discussions with Iran.

Omani officials later announced that they had successfully mediated a ceasefire agreement between the Houthi militants and the United States. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi noted that dialogues aimed at de-escalating tensions have yielded positive results.

“The negotiations involved multiple relevant authorities and focused on decreasing hostilities between both parties,” Albusaidi commented on social media. Meanwhile, Trump directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to disseminate the news of the agreement, which Rubio characterized as a significant advancement in addressing regional instability.

This development comes as Israeli forces have intensified their military operations in Yemen following a ballistic missile strike from the Houthis that hit near Israel’s primary airport on Sunday. Netanyahu’s government has responded with rigorous airstrikes targeting Houthi infrastructures, asserting that attacks would continue until safety is assured.

Following the U.S. announcement, Houthi leaders acknowledged the truce but cautioned that aggression toward Israel would persist until Israeli military actions in Gaza cease. Senior Houthi figure Mohammed Ali al-Houthi remarked that the effectiveness of the ceasefire would depend on real-time evaluations on the ground.

In a statement underscoring the gravity of the situation, al-Houthi considered Trump’s declaration both a tactical victory and a signal for greater resistance against Israel, indicating that they deemed the U.S. support of Israeli operations as untenable.

The Israeli government was reportedly unaware of the ceasefire arrangement before the President’s public announcement, leading to confusion among officials. The timing of Trump’s declaration coincided with one of the most intense military engagements the IDF has conducted in Yemen, raising questions about the implications for ongoing U.S.-Israel relations.

As discourses between the U.S. and Iran over a nuclear deal continue, experts believe that the temporary cessation of hostilities could serve as leverage in upcoming negotiations. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had previously warned of potential consequences for Iran’s continued influence over the Houthis.

The recent military operations against the Houthis had suffered challenges, including difficulties in targeting successful strikes, with the group reportedly exhibiting resilience against U.S. drone capabilities. Observers are now left pondering the future of the situation, particularly regarding Israel’s next moves, as the Houthis assert their commitment to opposing Israeli actions against Gaza.

Despite the ongoing conflict dynamics, both the U.S. and regional actors are cautiously optimistic that this ceasefire might pave the way for a more stable Middle East, at least in the interim.