Israel's news agency reported that the drone that targeted an Israeli-linked ship off India

Israel's Channel 12 news agency reported that the drone that targeted an Israeli-linked ship off India "took off directly from Iran."

A tanker carrying crude oil caught fire after a suspected drone attack off the Indian coast, India's Asian News International news agency reported on Saturday, citing the defence ministry.

The report said the MV Chem Pluto was sailing in the Arabian Sea about 217 nautical miles off the northwestern Indian city of Burbandar.

British maritime trade operations in the United Kingdom also reported the attack. It said the attack took place 200 nautical miles southwest of Veraval. It posted on platform X: "The fire has been extinguished, no injuries."

The International Asia News Agency reported that Indian navy and coast guard ships were en route to the tanker.

The defence ministry said the tanker was carrying a cargo of crude oil from Saudi Arabia to Mangaluru in southwestern India.

The reports did not indicate who might have been behind the attack.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea, and an Iranian general on Saturday warned the United States and the West of the possibility of closing other international sea routes.

These attacks are in response to Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced last week the launch of an international coalition of a multinational force to protect Red Sea traffic, following Houthi attacks on ships bound for Israel.

The force, which will operate under the name "Guardian of Prosperity", includes Britain, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, Spain and Denmark.

Austin said the operation's main task would be to solve security problems in the southern part of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in order to ensure freedom of navigation.