China Pledges Support for Iran's Sovereignty and Rights
WHO:
Institute for the Study of War - Houthi representatives, including the Houthis’ primary spokesperson and diplomat Mohammad Abdulsalam, met with US officials in Muscat, Oman.
Institute for the Study of War - The Houthis, US officials, President Trump, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Al Jazeera - Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump.
WHAT:
Institute for the Study of War - The Houthis captured the last key Yemeni government-controlled ports on the Red Sea coast, along with the rest of the Red Sea coastal plain, the Hanish Islands, and Perim Island, between September 9 and 11, 2026.
Institute for the Study of War - The Saudi Coalition Joint Forces Command announced that Saudi air defenses intercepted a Houthi drone in Saudi airspace near Mecca on September 15, 2026.
Institute for the Study of War - The Houthis conducted ballistic missile and drone attacks targeting military and oil infrastructure sites in western Saudi Arabia.
Institute for the Study of War - Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea announced attacks on the Saudi Aramco oil refinery in Yanbu and a Saudi air base in Khamis Mushait.
Al Jazeera - China expressed willingness to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with Iran and safeguard Iran’s legitimate rights and interests.
Al Jazeera - Wang Yi urged Iran and the US to rebuild the negotiation mechanism based on existing consensus.
WHERE:
Institute for the Study of War - Attacks occurred in western Saudi Arabia, specifically targeting the Saudi Aramco oil refinery in Yanbu and the King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait.
Al Jazeera - The meeting between Wang Yi and Abbas Araghchi took place in Beijing.
WHEN:
Institute for the Study of War - The first phase of the disarmament agreement with Iranian-backed Iraqi militias is set to begin on September 30 and last until December 31, 2026.
Institute for the Study of War - The second phase of the disarmament agreement is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with the complete withdrawal of Turkish forces from Iraq proposed by July 1, 2027.
Institute for the Study of War - The Houthi attacks were announced on September 16, 2026.
Al Jazeera - The meeting between the foreign ministers occurred on a Wednesday, a week before Xi Jinping's planned trip to the United States.
WHY:
Institute for the Study of War - The reported agreement between the Shia Coordination Framework and Iranian-backed Iraqi militias includes a condition that allows the militias to maintain access to their weapons as long as they do not use them.
Institute for the Study of War - The Houthis aim to maximize the political and economic costs of the Saudi campaign to compel Saudi Arabia to meet their demands.
Al Jazeera - Wang Yi stated that the current situation demonstrates the inadequacy of the existing security architecture in the Middle East, which needs reform and strengthening.
HOW:
Institute for the Study of War - The agreement stipulates that “any agreement on the non-use of weapons shall be deemed void under specific circumstances,” allowing for potential future use of weapons by the militias.
Institute for the Study of War - The Houthis are likely attempting to assure the United States that they will not attack US vessels to avoid provoking a large-scale US air campaign.
Al Jazeera - China plans to promote peace, fairness, and justice in the region through dialogue and cooperation with Iran.
(UPDATED September 17, 2026 08:00 UTC)
Houthi representatives, including their primary spokesperson Mohammad Abdulsalam, recently met with U.S. officials in Muscat, Oman, as the Houthis captured key Yemeni government-controlled ports along the Red Sea coast and surrounding islands between September 9 and 11, 2026. Meanwhile, the Saudi Coalition Joint Forces Command reported intercepting a Houthi drone in Saudi airspace near Mecca on September 15, 2026. Looking ahead, the first phase of a disarmament agreement with Iranian-backed Iraqi militias is set to begin on September 30 and will last until December 31, 2026, with a second phase planned for early 2027 that includes the complete withdrawal of Turkish forces from Iraq by July 1, 2027.
--
(UPDATED September 17, 2026 07:11 UTC)
The Houthis have launched ballistic missile and drone attacks targeting military and oil infrastructure in western Saudi Arabia, including the Saudi Aramco oil refinery in Yanbu and the King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait. Meanwhile, in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, emphasizing the need for dialogue and cooperation to safeguard Iran's interests and reform the existing security architecture in the Middle East. As tensions rise, the Houthis are reportedly trying to assure the United States that they will not target US vessels, likely to avoid provoking a large-scale US air campaign.