Saudi Arabia turns to China for help as Houthis' advances threaten oil exports. Here's what Beijing, Tehran said

According to a report from Mint, Saudi Arabia has sought diplomatic assistance from China to mitigate the impact of Houthi-led threats on oil exports and regional maritime security. As the conflict in the Red Sea intensifies, Beijing is reportedly leveraging its influence with Tehran, urging Iranian officials to restrain Houthi activities that threaten critical energy transit routes.

China, which remains a primary consumer of Middle Eastern energy, has a significant economic interest in maintaining the stability of these maritime corridors. The report suggests that Beijing is concerned that the ongoing escalation could disrupt global supply chains and negatively impact the world's second-largest economy. This diplomatic outreach underscores China's growing role as a mediator in regional security affairs, particularly following its previous involvement in the restoration of Saudi-Iranian diplomatic ties.

These developments coincide with broader regional efforts to secure the Red Sea, as evidenced by the mobilization of a Saudi-led naval coalition aimed at protecting waterways from further disruption. While Tehran has historically maintained that its support for regional proxies is independent of such diplomatic pressures, the reported intervention by Beijing highlights the increasing pressure on all stakeholders to prevent a wider regional conflict that could jeopardize global energy markets.