Saudi Arabia requested that China privately pressure Iran to restrain the Houthis following their seizure of Yemen's Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Three Iranian sources reported that Beijing conveyed the message to Tehran, exceeding its public calls for de-escalation.

According to the sources, Iran's response indicated that regional stability is contingent on the cessation of the U.S.-Israeli conflict against Iran. China reportedly issued no threats and did not utilize its economic leverage over Tehran.