Beijing has stepped in behind the scenes to ask Tehran to help rein in the Iran‑backed Houthis, according to three Iranian sources familiar with the discussions. The request follows a direct appeal from Saudi Arabia, which is concerned about the Houthis’ swift advances along the Red Sea coast and around the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait.
Saudi concerns and Chinese diplomacy
Saudi officials say the Houthi surge threatens Saudi oil exports and the safety of commercial shipping in a vital corridor for global energy supplies. While China publicly calls for restraint, dialogue and safe navigation, the private message to Iran reportedly went further, urging Tehran to use its sway over the Houthis to prevent a broader spread of conflict across key energy routes.
Iran’s response
The Iranian sources said Tehran replied that regional stability and peace depend on ending the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran. No explicit threats or economic pressure from China were mentioned, and Chinese officials have not indicated any punitive measures if Iran fails to act.
China’s stake in the region
China remains Iran’s largest trading partner, buying more than 80% of Iran’s seaborne oil in 2025—about 1.4 million barrels per day, according to Kpler data. A senior Western diplomat noted that Beijing is one of the few capitals capable of pressing Iran to restrain the Houthis.
The Houthis, who originated in the 1990s opposing Saudi Sunni influence in Yemen, receive arms, training and funding from Iran, according to both Iranian and Western sources. Their attacks on Red Sea shipping could worsen the global energy crisis, especially as Iran has already restricted the Strait of Hormuz, creating a potential new front in the broader U.S.–Iran confrontation.
Strategic implications
Analysts warn that sustained Houthi attacks could disrupt both of the Middle East’s main oil‑export routes—the Hormuz Strait and the Red Sea corridor—raising the specter of a wider regional war. Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran Program at the Middle East Institute, said while China may oppose U.S. pressure on Tehran, its interests in the Gulf extend beyond any single partner, with roughly half of China’s oil imports coming from the region and $300 billion in annual trade with Gulf Cooperation Council states.
China’s ability to provide the financial resources Iran needs to sustain its oil industry gives Beijing leverage, but critics inside Iran note that Chinese non‑oil trade and investment have been modest since the two nations signed a 25‑year cooperation pact in 2021.
Uncertain outcome
It remains unclear whether Tehran will act on Beijing’s request. The sources said Iran’s decisions are shaped by a mix of strategic, economic and political priorities, and that while China is a factor Tehran cannot ignore, it is only one of many considerations.
Analysts suggest the true test will be whether China is prepared to attach concrete consequences to its appeal. If Beijing follows through with tangible pressure, it could signal a stronger resolve to protect global energy routes and curb the spread of conflict.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
