🔶 Beijing’s request to Tehran to rein in Houthi attacks

Reuters news agency on Friday, 27 Shahrivar (18 September), citing three Iranian sources with knowledge of the matter, reported that China, after a request for help from Saudi Arabia to Beijing, had privately asked Tehran to use its influence to rein in the Houthis in Yemen.

According to these sources, after the Houthis supported by Iran made rapid gains last week along the Red Sea coasts and around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Saudi Arabia asked China for help. These developments have exposed Saudi oil exports and shipping to an increasing risk.

In its public statements, China called for restraint, dialogue, and the restoration of security for shipping. However, according to Reuters sources, Beijing’s private message to Tehran went beyond these official and public positions.

Beijing has asked Iran to use its influence over the Houthis to prevent the fighting from spreading further to energy transfer routes—routes that China, as the world’s second-largest economy, depends on.