US urges China to help curb attacks by Iran-backed Houthis

The Houthis are backed by Iran, which has enjoyed deeper commercial and diplomatic ties with China in recent years. One official said the US would continue to raise the issue of Iran and the Houthi attacks with Beijing but was not particularly optimistic that China's attitude would change. Another US official said there had been "some signs" of China engaging on the issue, but not in a significant way. "I wouldn't want to overstate either how much they've done or what impact it has had," the official said. John Kirby, National Security Council spokesperson, on Tuesday said Washington would "welcome…