The Wall Street Journal reports that after Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and seizure of the Bab al-Mandeb choke point, Riyadh opened contact to learn what price would end hostilities. The Houthis initially demanded $51 billion, saying it would compensate for years of Saudi air strikes and blockade; negotiators later floated other sums but signalled any Saudi exit could cost hundreds of billions. They also sought formal Saudi recognition of Houthi rule in Yemen, which would e

The Wall Street Journal reports that after Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and seizure of the Bab al-Mandeb choke point, Riyadh opened contact to learn what price would end hostilities. The Houthis initially demanded $51 billion, saying it would compensate for years of Saudi air strikes and blockade; negotiators later floated other sums but signalled any Saudi exit could cost hundreds of billions. They also sought formal Saudi recognition of Houthi rule in Yemen, which would effectively force Riyadh to accept an Iran-armed hostile force on its southern border. Saudi and Houthi leaders did not respond to requests for comment.