China has asked Iran to use its influence over Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi group to prevent further escalation around the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait after Saudi Arabia sought Beijing's assistance. The request follows a renewed Houthi offensive that seized a strategically important Red Sea island and key coastal towns, threatening commercial shipping and Saudi energy infrastructure. US officials say the Houthis ultimately seek control of the Bab al Mandeb, while President Donald Trump has ruled out direct US kinetic strikes and is relying on Saudi Arabia, which has received increased US intelligence and targeting support but has not halted the advances. China has publicly urged restraint and dialogue and has not threatened sanctions against Iran. The report did not establish how Beijing's message was delivered or whether it was conveyed during Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi's visit to China. Tehran said regional stability depends on ending the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. The Houthi escalation has also complicated negotiations involving the Strait of Hormuz and contributed to the cancellation of a first meeting between Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Iran since the US-Iran war began. China is Iran's largest trading partner and main oil buyer, taking more than 80% of Iran's seaborne oil exports in 2025, or about 1.4 million barrels per day. Regional sources doubt Saudi Arabia can defeat the Houthis alone; military action could weaken the group but may not eliminate it.