The United States says the episode is unrelated to regional tensions, though it is still investigating the firing of two missiles at the Navy ship involved in the rescue.

Saudi Arabia has asked the United States to show restraint in responding to attacks by Yemen's Houthis against ships in the Red Sea, two sources familiar with Saudi thinking said, as Riyadh seeks to contain spillover from the Hamas-Israel war.

The Navy destroyer USS Carney shot down three drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen during ballistic missile attacks on three commercial ships in the Red Sea Sunday. The attacks took place in international waters over seven hours.

Fresh attacks on vessels in the Red Sea are raising insurance premiums for ships in the region and menacing commerce in a conduit for 12% of world trade.

Shipowners have called for more military protection on maritime routes in the Middle East after attacks by Iran-backed rebels in the Red Sea sparked fears of new disruptions to global trade, including of energy supplies.

A U.S. Navy warship shot down several drones launched toward commercial ships in the Red Sea. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for the attacks. David Martin reports.

The discussions come after a U.S. destroyer downed three drones targeting commercial ships on Sunday, part of a series of attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia tied to Israel’s war against Hamas.

The United States was well within its rights to defend itself and commercial ships from unprovoked Houthi attacks on international waters.

A US warship and three commercial vessels have been attacked by rockets launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels into the Red Sea. The USS Carney shot down a Houthi drone in “self-defence” on Sunday and destroyed three more targeted at commercial ships linked to 14 nations including the UK.