China presses Iran to rein in Houthis as Brent crude slides toward $104

China has urged Iran to restrain the Houthis following a formal request from Saudi Arabia. This diplomatic intervention comes after Houthi military advances along the Red Sea coast exposed Saudi shipping and oil exports to significant risk. These geopolitical tensions are directly impacting global energy markets, contributing to a decline in Brent crude prices toward $104. The situation underscores the critical link between regional instability in Yemen and the stability of international trade routes and oil pricing.