China Urges Iran to Restrain Houthis as US Rejects Saudi Strike Request for Red Sea
Updated
Updated · Business Insider Africa · Sep 17
China Urges Iran to Restrain Houthis as US Rejects Saudi Strike Request for Red Sea
3 articles · Updated · Business Insider Africa · Sep 17
Summary
China privately asked Iran to use its influence over the Houthis after Saudi Arabia turned to Beijing when President Donald Trump refused Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s request for U.S. strikes.
Bab el-Mandeb’s role as the gateway between the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has raised the stakes, with Houthi gains along Yemen’s Red Sea coast threatening one of the world’s key shipping chokepoints.
Beijing said escalating instability was in no party’s interest, called for sovereignty and critical civilian facilities to be respected, and pushed dialogue instead of military escalation.
China’s leverage rests on its ties with both sides—it is Iran’s largest trading partner and helped restore Saudi-Iran relations in 2023—but Tehran signaled broader calm would require an end to U.S. and Israeli pressure.
The diplomatic move underscores how disruption around both Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz is already cutting commercial traffic and adding strain to global energy and shipping markets.