China presses Iran to rein in Houthis after Saudi appeal, report says
The appeal comes as US officials hold separate talks with the Houthis in Oman over Red Sea shipping attacks
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Map: The Red Sea, marking Bab el Mandeb, Hodeidah
UpdateThursday, September 17, 2026 at 9:20 AM ET
Pakistan's army chief has also urged Iran to press the Houthis against targeting Saudi energy facilities, according to sources cited by Anadolu Agency. The appeal adds a second channel of pressure on Tehran, alongside China's outreach following Saudi Arabia's request.
China has pressed Iran to help restrain the Houthi movement in Yemen, following an appeal from Saudi Arabia, according to a report.
The outreach comes as Washington pursues its own diplomatic track. US officials have held talks with the Houthis in Oman as tensions over Red Sea shipping continue. In those talks, the Houthis have told US officials they intend to avoid attacking Israeli vessels, though Saudi-led forces and Washington are keeping military options open even as the discussions proceed.
Beijing's move suggests concern in China about regional instability that could affect trade flows and energy prices passing through the region. But the diplomatic push is unlikely to change the underlying conflict. Iran has limited leverage over the Houthis, and US-led diplomatic efforts are already running in parallel. For now, the appeal reads as marginal positioning rather than a shift in the trajectory of the Red Sea standoff.