At the request of Saudi Arabia and following recent Houthi attacks, China has privately conveyed a message to Iran urging it to rein in the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Reuters reported this information, citing three Iranian sources familiar with the matter.
The sources stated that while China has publicly called for restraint, dialogue, and the restoration of safe maritime navigation, the private message to Iran specifically requested that the country leverage its influence over the Houthis.
China urged Iran to use its influence with the Houthis to help prevent disruptions to vital maritime routes used for fuel transport—routes upon which China itself heavily relies.
However, the sources did not provide details on how this message was conveyed to Iran. It remains unclear whether the matter was raised during the meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was visiting China on Wednesday.
According to the Iranian sources, Tehran responded by stating that the key prerequisite for establishing peace and stability in the Middle East is an end to the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran.
