China privately urges Iran to restrain Houthis after Saudi appeal
Reuters reports that Beijing pressed Tehran to use its influence after a Saudi appeal, as shipping disruption threatens energy flows central to China’s economy.
China has privately urged Iran to restrain Yemen’s Houthis after an appeal from Saudi Arabia, Reuters reported, citing three Iranian sources familiar with the contacts.
The reported diplomacy reflects Beijing’s exposure to disruption in regional shipping. More than 80% of Iran’s seaborne oil exports go to China, while China also has extensive commercial ties with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf producers.
According to the Reuters account, Saudi Arabia asked Beijing to use its relationship with Tehran, and Chinese officials subsequently raised the issue with Iran. Neither the private exchanges nor their precise wording could be independently verified by Berean News.
Editorial note: The diplomatic contact is attributed to Reuters and three Iranian sources. The report does not establish that Iran controls Houthi operational decisions or that the Chinese intervention has changed them.
Corrections & updates
- Story updatedSep 19, 2026, 9:35 AM
- Story published
Verified against the sources cited in this report.
Sep 19, 2026, 7:50 AM
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