China asks Iran to rein in Houthi attacks in Red Sea, according to Iranian officials | BBC News

Chinese officials have asked their Iranian counterparts to help rein in attacks on ships in the Red Sea by the Iran-backed Houthis, four Iranian sources and a diplomat familiar with the matter said, first reported by Reuters. If Iran refuses, the country risks harming business relations with Beijing. China has been Iran's biggest trading partner for the past decade. The Houthis are an armed political and religious group which champions Yemen's Shia Muslim minority, the Zaidis. In response to the war in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis started firing drones and missiles towards Israel. The discussions about the attacks and trade between China and Iran took place at several recent meetings in Beijing and Tehran, the Iranian sources said. The latest news from the conflict is that an oil tanker is on fire in the Gulf of Aden, its operator says, after Houthis said they hit it with a missile. Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1rbfUog For more news, analysis and features visit: www.bbc.com/news #China #Iran #BBCNews