Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement has engaged in Oman-mediated talks with "international parties" about its operations in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, a Houthi spokesman said on Saturday, following a series of attacks on ships by the militia group.

The statement didn't identify the international parties involved in the talks and didn't say where they took place or when, but may indicate the Houthis could be willing to deescalate.

The Houthis stressed in the Oman-mediated talks that their position was not subject to negotiation until Israel stops its "aggression" against Gaza and allows humanitarian aid to enter, said Mohamed Abdel-Salam, the Houthi spokesman.

However Abdel-Salam also said that "any real steps" addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza by bringing in food and medicine "would contribute to reducing the escalation".

The Houthi attacks have led to some shipping companies halting operations through the Red Sea, a vital waterway for global commerce and energy shipped between Europe and Asia.

Reuters