China presses Iran to help rein in Houthis after Saudi appeal

Sep 17, 2026

Following a rapid military blitz by Yemen's Houthi rebels along the Red Sea coast, Saudi Arabia appealed to Beijing for assistance. In response, China privately urged Iran to use its influence to rein in the group. While Beijing avoided explicit economic threats, Tehran responded that regional stability depends on ending the US-Israeli war on Iran, leaving it unclear if they will act on China's request.

Houthi military advances in Yemen

▪Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the group targeted the Red Sea oil port of Yanbu and an airbase at Khamis Mushait with drone and missile attacks
▪Yemen's Houthi rebels made rapid military advances along the Red Sea coast and around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait during the week preceding September 17, 2026

China's diplomatic pressure on Iran

▪Chinese officials did not issue explicit threats or indicate that Beijing would impose economic pressure on Tehran if it failed to influence the Houthis
▪China privately asked Tehran to use its influence to help rein in Yemen's Houthis following an appeal from Saudi Arabia

Red Sea energy route security

▪Chinese purchases of Iranian oil accounted for more than 80% of Iran's seaborne oil exports in 2025, averaging about 1.4 million barrels per day
▪Sustained Houthi attacks on vessels or ports in the Red Sea risk disrupting the Middle East's two main oil-export routes simultaneously while the Strait of Hormuz is blocked