oil tanker

Pakistan is closely allied with Saudi Arabia but has tried to maintain a diplomatic balancing act between Riyadh and Tehran.

Iran said in August another oil tanker, the Helm, faced a technical failure while passing through the Red Sea, without elaborating.

The ship has 23 crew aboard.

The U.S. has sent thousands of additional troops, B-52 bombers and advanced fighter jets to the region amid the heightened tensions.

No one claimed responsibility for Wednesday's attack and Iraqi oil exports were unaffected.