China privately asked Iran to help curb Houthis at Saudi's request: Report

China privately asked Iran to help curb Yemen's Houthi rebels on the request of Saudi Arabia, Reuters reported, citing Iranian sources. Saudi had sought China's help after the Iran-backed group expanded control over Yemen's Red Sea coast near the crucial Bab el-Mandeb Strait. China reportedly wants Iran to use its influence to prevent the conflict from spreading across energy routes.