China privately urged Iran to rein in Yemen’s Houthis after Saudi Arabia’s appeal, as the Iran-backed group launched deadly attacks on Saudi cities, threatening global oil supplies and escalating regional tensions.
The Houthis, who control much of Yemen, launched a major offensive against Saudi Arabia on September 8, 2026, striking four cities and wounding over 70 people. The attacks, which targeted oil infrastructure and military sites, marked a significant escalation in the six-month-old Middle East conflict and sent global oil prices near $100 a barrel. China, Iran’s largest trading partner, privately pressed Tehran to use its influence over the Houthis to prevent further destabilization, according to Iranian sources familiar with the matter.
China’s Private Diplomacy with Iran
China has privately urged Iran to rein in the Houthis following Saudi Arabia’s appeal, according to three Iranian sources. The move comes as the Houthis, backed by Iran, have advanced along the Red Sea coast, threatening Saudi oil exports and shipping routes. Beijing, which relies on stable energy supplies, emphasized the need for restraint, dialogue, and the restoration of safe navigation
in public statements, but its private message was more direct, the sources said.
Chinese officials did not issue explicit threats or indicate economic pressure on Tehran if it failed to act, the sources added. However, Beijing’s influence over Iran is significant: Chinese purchases accounted for over 80% of Iran’s seaborne oil exports in 2025, averaging 1.4 million barrels per day. A senior Western diplomat noted, Beijing is one of the few capitals that can still press Iran to rein in the Houthis.
China’s foreign ministry reiterated its stance, stating, China does not wish to see regional tensions further spill over into Yemen and the Red Sea. Escalating regional instability is not in the interests of any party.
The statement also called for respecting sovereignty and protecting facilities vital to livelihoods, urging dialogue and negotiation
to resolve the crisis.
Houthis’ Escalating Attacks and Regional Fallout
The Houthis, who emerged in the 1990s to oppose Saudi Arabia’s Sunni influence in Yemen, launched a coordinated attack on September 8, 2026, striking a Saudi airbase in Khamis Mushait, oil installations in Abha, Najran, and Jazan, and targeting the Red Sea port of Jazan. NASA satellite images showed thick smoke over the Jazan refinery, while Saudi authorities reported blazes at the sites and injuries to women and children.
The attacks intensified global concerns about energy security. The Houthis’ advances along the Red Sea and their control of Perim Island, a strategic location at the strait’s mouth, threaten to disrupt Middle East energy routes. Alex Vatanka of the Middle East Institute noted, Iran can disrupt Hormuz. But at some point that leverage begins hurting the very power Tehran increasingly depends on.
Oil prices surged in response. Brent crude reached $99.46, the highest since July 24, while U.S. WTI crude hit its highest level since June 8. The Houthis’ actions also reignited tensions between Iran and the U.S., with Washington imposing new aviation sanctions on Iran and Iran announcing plans for a maritime exclusion zone
to counter U.S. blockades.
Diplomatic Stalemate and Unanswered Questions
Diplomatic efforts face hurdles. Oman, which had planned to host talks between Iran and Gulf states, postponed the meeting at Saudi Arabia’s request. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, rejected U.S. President Trump’s calls for talks, stating, No talks until Iran's conditions are met.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s coalition warned it would take all necessary operational measures
to confront the Houthis.
The humanitarian toll is mounting. The International Organization for Migration reported over 82,000 Yemenis fleeing fighting since the start of the month, with families like Aisha Muhammad’s torn apart by the conflict. They cannot reach us, and we cannot return to them. This is a trial from God,
she said, describing the blockade of her children’s homes.
As the conflict deepens, the role of external actors remains critical. China’s economic ties to Iran and its diplomatic influence offer a potential pathway to de-escalation, but Tehran’s priorities—balancing U.S. pressure with regional alliances—complicate any resolution. With oil markets volatile and regional tensions spilling into Yemen, the path forward remains uncertain, leaving global energy security and human suffering at the center of a widening crisis.