Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced Monday they struck a Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea, a move that heightens regional tensions amid ongoing conflict.

The Houthi military spokesperson stated that the vessel, identified as the “Amzan,” was targeted off the coast of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, with a ballistic missile. This incident marks the latest in a series of attacks by the Houthis on Saudi assets, which they claim is in support of Iran and aims to disrupt global energy supplies.

The Saudi shipping company Bahri later confirmed that its vessel, the Amzan, was involved in a maritime incident in the Red Sea. Bahri stated that all crew members were safe and reported no injuries. The company is in contact with the vessel and coordinating with relevant authorities, emphasizing the safety of its personnel and the vessel as top priorities.

This strike comes as the Houthis seek to pressure the United States to halt hostilities by impacting global energy supplies. Yanbu serves as Saudi Arabia's primary oil port on the Red Sea, a critical route for oil tankers avoiding the Strait of Hormuz, which has faced blockades by Iran. Shipping activity around Yanbu has seen disruptions since the Houthis declared a blockade on Saudi-linked vessels last month.

Earlier on Monday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile approximately 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu. The Houthis described the attack as "part of the implementation of the Armed Forces’ decision to ban maritime navigation by the Saudi enemy," adding that the strike was "accurate and direct."

In recent weeks, the Houthis have been responsible for other significant attacks, including killing seven people in a Yemeni port and targeting an oil refinery in Saudi Arabia. They also carried out a double strike on a cargo vessel in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, resulting in at least six deaths and ten injuries.

There has been no official confirmation from Saudi government officials regarding the incident. An inquiry to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Al Jazeera reportedly received no response.

The ongoing Houthi actions in the Red Sea and against Saudi infrastructure contribute to fears of a broader regional escalation of the US-Iran conflict.