China Asks Iran to Restrain Houthis Amid Red Sea Tensions

China has privately urged Iran to leverage its influence over the Houthi movement to de-escalate tensions in the Red Sea, according to three Iranian sources familiar with the discussions. The request followed an appeal from Saudi Arabia to Beijing after increased Houthi activity along the Red Sea coast and near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Riyadh is concerned that escalating tensions could jeopardize its oil exports and maritime shipping.

While China publicly advocates for restraint, dialogue, and the restoration of maritime security, its private communications with Tehran also emphasized preventing the conflict's spread to vital energy routes crucial for the Chinese economy. The sources indicated that Iran responded by stating regional stability hinges on ending the "American-Israeli war against Iran." Chinese representatives reportedly did not issue economic threats to Tehran.

Beijing has expressed its desire to avoid the spillover of regional tensions into Yemen and the Red Sea, calling for resolution through dialogue and negotiation. The article also briefly mentions unrelated news items, including naval officer training, a petition regarding separate prayer at beaches, comments on Arab crime in prisons, a halt in shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Ukrainian-Japanese defense cooperation, political statements from the Otzma Yehudit party, Afghanistan's demining agreements, and the resignation of the Swedish Prime Minister.