China urges Iran to curb Houthi attacks after Saudi request
Beijing has privately asked Tehran to use its influence over the Houthis to calm their recent Red Sea offensive, following a Saudi appeal.
After a rapid Houthi push along the Red Sea and near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Saudi Arabia sought Beijing’s assistance to contain the militia. China, which has repeatedly advocated for dialogue and safe navigation, reportedly conveyed a private message to Iran urging it to leverage its sway over the Houthis. Iranian officials responded that peace depends on ending the US-Israeli war on Iran.
The Chinese foreign ministry emphasized that regional spill-over would harm all parties but did not threaten economic sanctions. Analysts note that China is a major buyer of Iranian oil and that disruption of both the Hormuz and Red Sea routes could worsen the global energy crunch. The episode underscores Beijing’s growing diplomatic role in a region where it depends on secure energy flows.
Why it matters
The plea highlights how China’s energy interests are driving it to intervene in Middle-East conflicts that could affect global oil supplies.
How this story developed
- Aug 28 Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey launch Mecca Defence Alliance, secretariat set in Riyadh
- Sep 3 Greece delivered a diplomatic note to Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, instructed by Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, contesting Turkish objections to Greek spatial planning frameworks and the creation of two national maritime parks. Athens maintains that international treaties define Aegean sovereignty and that Turkey’s own maritime park declarations overstep its jurisdiction. Both sides exchanged notes reiterating their positions, while Greece pledged to raise any unilateral Turkish actions with European partners. Despite tensions, intelligence chiefs met to keep security cooperation alive, and leaders plan to attend the UN General Assembly.
- Sep 6 Turkey reiterated its long‑standing claims over continental shelves.
- Sep 11 The UN International Organisation for Migration says at least 46,000 Yemenis have been displaced since last week as clashes intensify.
- Sep 13 Pakistan reiterated that no immediate military response under the Makkah pact is being discussed.
- Sep 13 The Greek prime minister publicly called for dialogue with Turkey while maintaining a formal protest over Turkey’s maritime park claims.
- Sep 14 The displacement figure has risen to nearly 86,000.
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