China has privately asked Iran to use its influence over the Houthis to prevent the escalation of conflicts into energy transit routes. This request came after Saudi Arabia asked China for help in containing the Houthi advance along the Red Sea coast. These developments could pose increasing risks to Saudi oil exports and shipping.
Unofficial reports and concerns about the escalation of conflicts
Last week, the rapid advance of the Houthis along the Red Sea coast and around the Bab al-Mandab Strait has raised serious concerns in Saudi Arabia. Three Iranian sources told Reuters that Saudi Arabia has requested assistance from China, and Beijing has privately asked Tehran to take action to contain this group. These sources indicated that China has called for restraint and dialogue in its official positions, but its private message to Iran reflects more serious concerns.
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China and economic dependencies
As the world's second-largest economy, China is dependent on the security of energy transit routes. The country generally does not want conflicts to impact oil exports and shipping. According to data analysis company "Kpler", over 80% of Iran's maritime oil exports will be sent to China by 2025, with China's average daily purchases around 1.4 million barrels.
In this context, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has emphasized that the sovereignty and security of all countries must be respected and no facilities should be targeted for attack. However, it remains unclear how Iran will respond to this request from China and whether it will take action to rein in the Houthis.
Analysts believe that China can exert pressure on Iran, but its interests in the Middle East extend far beyond Iran. About half of China's oil imports come from this region, and the annual trade volume between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries reaches about $300 billion. Therefore, Beijing may want to maintain a balance in its relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Iran and the Houthis emerged in the 1990s as a challenge to Saudi influence in Yemen. The Islamic Republic has aided the Houthis by supplying weapons and intelligence support, helping to develop their military capabilities. However, now with potential pressures from China, Iran must make decisions that will affect not only the Houthis but also its relations with China and other countries.
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