The Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched a missile attack on a Chinese-owned oil tanker on Sunday in spite of reassurances from Tehran that its vessels would be protected.

"The Houthis attacked the MV Huang despite previously stating they would not attack Chinese vessels," the US Central Command stated on X.

Four anti-ship ballistic missiles were fired at the vessel, followed by a fifth missile. No casualties have as yet been reported.

The strike is the latest amidst a blockade initiated by Iran's Supreme Leader in which the Yemeni militia has targeted ships supporting Hamas in Gaza in its war against Israel. While the blockade was only begun with the intention to target Israeli vessels, it has since become global, no vessels safe from the onslaught.

Just last week, Iran promised two of its main allies, Russia and China, that their ships would be safe amidst the blockade, with the latest incident threatening relations. China, as Iran's primary consumer of Iranian oil, remains a key partner economically and militarily and as such, the attack risks relations.

Bloomberg reported that Russian and Chinese diplomats met with Mohammed Abdul-Salam, a senior Houthi official and the group’s spokesperson to secure a deal to protect ships on the key trade route in the Red Sea and surrounding area.

It is understood that Moscow and Beijing would, as a result, provide the Houthis with political support, which according to Bloomberg can include “blocking more resolutions” against the Yemeni terror group in the UN Security Council.

Following the missile attack on Sunday, a swarm of one-way attack drones ensued. Of these drones, five were intercepted and subsequently crashed after engagement by the USS Carney, while a sixth flew further into Houthi-controlled regions of Yemen.

Iran has supported the Houthis for several years, providing extensive financial, military, and training support to their forces, enabling them to take control of swathes of Yemen in the civil war which is nearing a decade of fighting.