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| President of xi jinping, photo credit: govt. Of Russia/ Wikimedia commons |
DUBAI, September 17, 2026 — China has privately urged Iran to use its influence over Yemen’s Houthi movement to help contain the group’s recent military activity, according to three Iranian sources familiar with the discussions.
The move followed an appeal from Saudi Arabia to Beijing after Houthi forces made rapid advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coastline and near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the sources said. The developments have increased concerns over Saudi oil exports and commercial shipping in the strategically important waterway.
China has publicly called for restraint, dialogue and the restoration of safe navigation in the region. However, the Iranian sources said Beijing’s private message to Tehran went further, asking Iran to help prevent the conflict from expanding across important energy and shipping routes.
It remains unclear how the Chinese message was delivered or whether it was discussed during Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to China this week. The sources also said there was uncertainty over whether Tehran would act on Beijing’s request.
China voices concern over Red Sea security
China’s Foreign Ministry said Beijing did not want regional tensions to spread further into Yemen and the Red Sea. It also called for respect for national sovereignty and urged the parties involved to resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiation.
Iranian and Saudi officials had not immediately responded to requests for comment on the reported private discussions, according to the report.
China has significant economic interests in the region. It has been Iran’s largest trading partner for more than a decade and is also a major buyer of Iranian oil. Data cited in the report indicated that Chinese purchases accounted for more than 80% of Iran’s seaborne oil exports in 2025.
Wider concerns over regional energy routes
The latest developments have raised concerns about the security of the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
Any prolonged disruption in the area could add pressure to global energy and shipping markets, particularly as regional tensions have already affected other major energy routes.
The extent to which Iran can or will influence Houthi actions remains uncertain. The three Iranian sources said Tehran’s position was that regional stability was linked to ending the broader conflict involving Iran.