China has reportedly asked Iran to rein in Yemen's Houthi group, following a plea from Saudi Arabia, in the wake of a military surge by the Iran-backed Houthis.
Saudi Arabia sought China's assistance after the Houthis made swift advances along the Red Sea coast and around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, raising concerns over the security of Saudi oil exports and shipping, according to Reuters.
China, while publicly calling for restraint and dialogue, privately urged Iran to use its influence over the Houthis to help prevent further escalation along vital energy routes.
The report did not disclose how the message was conveyed or whether it was delivered during Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi's visit to China on Wednesday. Tehran responded that regional stability and peace depend on ending the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, as per the publication.
While China has not threatened to impose economic sanctions on Tehran if it fails to control the Houthis, the Chinese foreign ministry has stressed that escalating regional instability is not beneficial to any party and has called for an end to actions that further complicate the situation.
China's Iran Leverage Faces New Test
This development comes at a time when tensions are escalating in the Middle East. On Thursday, Saudi Arabia and the Houthis exchanged attacks, raising concerns about further disruption to energy supplies. However, another Reuters report stated that alternative routes through Oman have eased fears after Houthi attacks disrupted a key Saudi oil pipeline.
The Houthis emerged in Yemen in the 1990s and are backed by Iran, including through weapons, training and funding, Reuters reported, citing Iranian and Western sources. They are part of Tehran's broader "Axis of Resistance" against Western and Israeli influence.
According to Kpler, China has been Iran's largest trading partner for over a decade and its main oil buyer, accounting for more than 80% of Iran's seaborne oil exports in 2025 at about 1.4 million barrels per day.
A senior Western diplomat told Reuters that Beijing is among the few governments that can pressure Iran to restrain the Houthis.
At the time of writing, Brent crude oil futures expiring in November were trading 1.26% lower at $103.50 per barrel, while WTI crude futures expiring in October rose 0.11% to 102.02 per barrel.
Trump Considers Iran Strikes As Kent Warns
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump stated that he is considering whether the U.S. should resume military strikes against Iran.
Reportedly, the President is also scheduled to meet with officials from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and other countries in the coming week to discuss the next steps related to Iran.
However, former counterterrorism chief Joe Kent has advised against military intervention, suggesting instead that the U.S. withdraw troops from the Middle East.
