China Presses Iran to Rein In Houthis as 1.4 Million bpd Oil Trade Gives Beijing Leverage
Updated
Updated · Haaretz · Sep 17
China Presses Iran to Rein In Houthis as 1.4 Million bpd Oil Trade Gives Beijing Leverage
3 articles · Updated · Haaretz · Sep 17
Summary
Saudi Arabia asked Beijing for help after Houthi advances along the Red Sea coast and Bab el-Mandeb Strait increased risks to Saudi oil exports and shipping, three Iranian sources said.
China then privately urged Iran to use its influence over the Houthis to contain their military activity, going beyond Beijing's public calls for restraint and safe navigation.
Tehran replied that regional stability depends on ending the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, while the sources said China did not threaten economic pressure if Iran failed to act.
China buys more than 80% of Iran's seaborne oil exports—about 1.4 million barrels a day in 2025—making it one of the few capitals seen as able to press Tehran over the Houthis.