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Muslim-majority countries have condemned an attempted Houthi drone attack near the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, with several governments calling for restraint and an end to the regional escalation. As per latest reports, officials from the US met Houthi leaders over the weekend at the country’s embassy in Muscat, Oman, it has been confirmed, leading to the US decision not to intervene to help Saudi Arabia drive back a Houthi advance inside Yemen. The Houthis reassured the US that the ceasefire agreement between the two sides struck in 2025 still held and the movement had no intention of attacking US shipping in the Red Sea. Only Saudi-linked shipping was regarded as a target owing to its blockade of Yemen, the Houthis confirmed. Analysts believe elevated crude prices could continue to spike inflation and import costs, putting broader pressure on the overall economy and growth outlook.