China has asked Iran to prevent the ongoing campaign against commercial shipping in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels, according to a Thursday report by Reuters.
Sources in Tehran told the news outlet that discussions between the two countries regarding the matter have taken place in the last few weeks. No specific details about the meetings were provided.
The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that the United States asked Beijing to address the situation with Iranian officials.
The Houthis launched an unrestrictive offensive against civilian maritime traffic operating near their coast since the start of the Oct. 7 massacre in southern Israel.
The incursions, often including attack-drone and anti-ship missile operations, have caused a major disruption to global trade by restricting access to the Suez Canal.
To prevent the attacks on their vessels, many transportation companies have chosen to avoid the area and utilize a longer and more expensive route around Africa. This has resulted in an increase in both global freight and insurance costs.
The Yemen-based rebel movement receives significant financial, military, and logistics support from the Islamic Republic.
The groups spokesperson, Mohammed Abdul-Salam, has maintained that their motivation for the strikes is to show support for Hamas terrorists as they battle with the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza.
Also on Thursday, Washington and London announced coordinated sanctions on four Houthi leaders for their roles in the conflict.
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