The United States reports that Houthi militants fired a ballistic missile at a cargo ship it owns off the coast of Yemen.
"No injuries or significant damage" was recorded by the Gibraltar Eagle, as reported by the United States military command for the Middle East (Centcom).
The vessel flying the flag of the Marshall Islands continues its voyage through the Gulf of Aden. Supported by Iran Houthi ship attacks have occurred since November as a form of resistance against Israel's conflict with Hamas.
Eagle Bulk Shipping reported that the bulk carrier was transporting steel products and was struck approximately 160 kilometres (100 miles) offshore in the Gulf of Aden.
According to the report, the cargo hold sustained only minor damage; the vessel is stable in all other respects and is currently preparing to depart the area.
Hours earlier, Centcom reported that a US fighter aircraft had intercepted and shot down an additional missile launched towards a US destroyer in the Red Sea.
Commercial vessels en route to Israeli ports or purportedly affiliated with Israel have been targeted by the Houthis in the Red Sea. It claims that the attacks are a display of support for Hamas and the Palestinians in Gaza, in the midst of Israel's ongoing military campaign in the region.
According to the British maritime security firm Ambrey, an assessment determined that the Gibraltar Eagle had no ties to Israel.
On Monday, however, a senior Houthi official stated that American vessels were also targets. "Our targeting of ships is sufficient if they are American," stated Nasr al-Din Amer.
As a result of the Houthi assaults on cargo vessels in the Red Sea, a number of the largest shipping corporations in the world have altered their course, significantly disrupting international trade.
The US Department of Transportation issued a maritime alert in response to the strike on Monday, advising "commercial vessels flying the US flag and owned by the US" to avoid certain regions in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea.
QatarEnergy, the second largest oil company globally, declared its intention to suspend shipments along the route on Monday in order to consult with security experts.
The United States and the United Kingdom attacked Houthi targets in Yemen last week in retaliation for seaborne assaults. Dozens of air and sea assaults were executed by the joint forces, in collaboration with allies, against Houthi missile launch sites and air defence systems within Yemen.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom announced on Monday that thirteen Houthi launch sites had been destroyed by government forces. Although Mr. Sunak refused to "speculate on future actions," he stated that inaction would have undermined regional security.
US intelligence estimates that approximately a quarter of the Houthis' arsenal was destroyed during the joint US-UK airstrikes on their military facilities.
Mohammed Abdulsalam, the Houthi's primary negotiator, however, told Reuters that despite the US-led airstrikes, attacks on Israeli ships or those en route to Israeli ports would continue.
The United States has attributed responsibility to Iran for the Houthi missile capability, a claim that Iran refutes. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the foreign minister of Iran, stated at a press conference on Monday that the West must promptly cease hostilities in Yemen.
