German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Thursday called on Iran to use its influence over Yemen’s Houthi movement to halt attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Speaking at a news conference in Vienna, Wadephul said Berlin "condemns this in the strongest possible terms" and expects Tehran to help bring the raids to an end. The appeal follows a series of strikes on ships transiting one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors, disruptions that have rattled global trade and raised insurance costs. Wadephul’s remarks add European pressure on Iran, which Western governments say provides political and military support to the Houthis, though Tehran denies direct involvement. Earlier the same day, a Chinese envoy also urged the Houthis to cease their assaults, underscoring broad international concern about the security of the Red Sea route that links Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal. Neither Iran nor the Houthi leadership has publicly responded to the latest diplomatic demands.