Reuters: China asks Iran to rein in the Houthis

Beijing has privately appealed to Iran to "crack down" the Houthis. This was reported by Reuters, citing three sources in Iran. According to the agency, Beijing, in turn, asked the authorities of Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh has turned to China for help after recent Houthi actions on the Red Sea coast and in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait threatened Saudi oil exports and complicated shipping.

According to sources, Beijing would like Iran to use its influence with the Houthis to prevent the conflict from spreading further to energy routes, on which China depends. According to sources, Beijing has refrained from direct threats against Iran.

The sources did not say how the Chinese request was conveyed to the Iranian side or whether the issue was discussed during the visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi to Beijing yesterday.