An Iranian oil tanker was hit by missile strikes near the Saudi port of Jeddah on Friday, causing the oil to leak into the Red Sea.

In a statement, the National Iranian Tanker Company said the hull of the Sabiti was hit by two separate explosions about 100 kilometres (60 miles) off the Saudi coast.

“Probably caused by missile strikes”, It said.

“All the ship’s crew are safe and the ship is stable too,” said NITC, adding those on board were trying to repair the damage.

The state-owned company said that contrary to reports, “there is no fire aboard the ship and the ship is completely stable”.