Washington is holding talks with the Houthis aimed at finding a mutually acceptable solution to the Yemen conflict, US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker said during his visit to Saudi Arabia.
Schenker said in remarks to reporters that the US focus is on ending the war in Yemen.
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the United States was preparing for direct talks with the Houthis.
It was the first time an administration official announced talks with the Houthis.
For his part, a member of the political bureau of the Houthi group Abdul Malik al-Ajri said that if the Houthis go to negotiations with the United States, it would be part of the war on Yemen.
Al-Ajri added that they view the calls made by America for dialogue with suspicion, and question their seriousness.
"America sees the continued aggression against Yemen as a source of financing through arms deals," he said.
On the other hand, the official website of Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi said that he met with US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker and his delegation.
During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues and developments in Yemen.
The Yemeni president's website said that the US assistant secretary of state stressed his country's support for Yemen and the importance of preserving its unity.