Saudi Arabia, frustrated with U.S. support to counter the advances of the Ansar Allah forces in Yemen, has turned to China and requested that the country encourage Iran to use its influence over the Yemenis. These developments indicate a shift in the balance of power in the region and Riyadh's efforts to prevent the Yemen crisis from spreading to other areas.
Saudi Arabia's request for help from China
According to reports, Saudi Arabia, following the rapid advances of the Ansar Allah forces last week, has asked China to privately message Iran and urge the country to take action to curb the Houthi attacks. This request stems from Saudi Arabia's concerns about the impact of these movements on its oil exports and the security of shipping routes in the Red Sea.
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In recent days, the Ansar Allah forces have made significant advances in coastal areas of the Red Sea and around Bab al-Mandab, which has severely impacted the Saudi economy. Previously, Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince, had twice requested military intervention from Donald Trump, the former U.S. president, but each time received a negative response.
China's private message to Iran
China has so far maintained its positions on restraint and emphasized dialogue and the return of security to shipping routes. However, according to Iranian sources, Beijing's private message went beyond these public stances, and China has asked Iran to use its influence over the Yemenis to prevent the crisis from spreading to energy routes. This issue is particularly significant for China, as the world's second-largest economy.
While it is still unclear whether this request was made during the visit of Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, to China or conveyed through another channel to Tehran, this development could be seen as a turning point in Iran-Saudi relations and the situation in Yemen.
Ultimately, Saudi Arabia's efforts to engage Iran in managing the Yemen crisis reflect the complex challenges the country faces, and this issue could have significant implications for the future of the Middle East and energy security in the region.
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