Beijing pushes Tehran to help stop Houthi attacks following appeal from Saudis, Iranian sources say
China remains a factor Tehran cannot afford to ignore, but two Iranian sources said Beijing's interests were only one of many considerations.
China has privately urged Tehran to assist in curbing Houthi attacks in Yemen, following a request from Saudi Arabia after a series of rapid advances by the Iran-backed group along the Red Sea coast and around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, exposing Saudi oil exports and maritime shipping, according to Iranian sources familiar with the matter.
Beijing has publicly advocated for restraint and dialogue, but its private message sought to leverage Iran's influence over the Houthis to prevent further conflict and protect vital energy routes that China relies on. Iranian sources say Tehran responded by arguing that stability and peace in the region depend on ending the US-Israeli war on Iran.
China has called for an end to actions that exacerbate the situation and urged dialogue and negotiation, emphasizing that the sovereignty and security of all countries should be respected. The relationship between China and Iran remains crucial, as Beijing is a significant trading partner for Iran, accounting for over 80% of its seaborne oil exports.
However, analysts suggest that Tehran's decisions are influenced by various strategic, economic, and political priorities, and the effectiveness of China's demands remains to be seen.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
