China has privately asked Iran to use its influence over the Houthis in Yemen to control the conflicts. This request was made after Saudi Arabia sought assistance from Beijing due to the rapid advances of the Houthis along the Red Sea coast and around the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. These developments seriously threaten Saudi oil exports and maritime security.
China's Request and Iran's Response
According to informed sources, Saudi Arabia has turned to China due to concerns about the escalation of the conflicts. These sources also noted that while Beijing has publicly called for restraint and dialogue, its private messages to Tehran have gone beyond these positions. In this context, China has sought Iran's cooperation to prevent the escalation of these conflicts to energy transit routes.
In response to this request, Iran has emphasized that stability and peace in the region depend on the end of the U.S. and Israeli wars against Iran. Informed sources pointed out that China has not made any economic threats to Iran, and the country is trying to reduce regional tensions.
Economic and Political Dimensions of Iran-China Relations
China, as Iran's largest trading partner and the main buyer of its oil, has established close and strategic relations with Iran for over a decade. According to statistics, more than 80% of Iran's maritime oil exports are sent to China, and this country, as the world's second-largest economy, is dependent on Middle Eastern energy resources.
In recent years, China has played a mediating role in regional agreements, including the agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia that helped restore relations between the two countries. However, China's influence in this regard has limitations, and critics in Iran believe that China's investment in Iran is significantly less than its investments in Gulf Arab countries.
Analysts believe that it remains to be seen whether China will take action to fulfill its requests. The seriousness of Beijing in using its influence over Tehran to rein in the Houthis could present a new challenge in Iran-China relations.
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