An unidentified missile attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating regional tensions

CNN)-- A ship was attacked by an unknown missile in the Strait of Hormuz late on Saturday evening, according to the body that monitors maritime traffic in the region.

“The status of the crew members, damage assessment and environmental impact remain unknown at this time,” the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.

The ship, whose name has not been revealed, was reported to have been targeted at 11pm UTC (7pm EST) on Saturday.

The center added: “We advise ships to transit with caution, and to report any suspicious activity to the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre, while the authorities conduct their investigations.”

This report comes in the wake of a new escalation of fighting in the region, more than six months after the outbreak of war between the United States and Iran, which led to a significant decline in shipping traffic through the strait, even though it is considered a vital global corridor for transporting fossil fuels from the Middle East.

Shipping traffic is still about 90% below its levels before the outbreak of the conflict, according to the latest report issued by the UK Maritime Trade Operations Center on Friday.

The southern Omani route remains the most dangerous corridor through this narrow strategic strait, having witnessed 19 out of 32 projectile attacks reported by the UK Maritime Trade Operations Center since July 6.

Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that it had temporarily closed the East-West oil pipeline as a precaution, after a drone attack. Both Baghdad and Riyadh said that the attack was launched from Iraq, where Iranian-backed militias are active.

Earlier this week, a source told CNN that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke twice with US President Donald Trump on Thursday, urging him to strike the Houthis, as the Iran-backed, Yemen-based group advances toward the Red Sea, but Trump refused.

On Friday, the Houthis took control of Perim Island at the entrance to the Red Sea. The island divides the Bab al-Mandab Strait into two lanes, giving Tehran effective control over another major shipping route.

When Trump was asked about Saudi Arabia's concerns after closing the pipeline and diverting maritime traffic through the strait, he said that everything "will be fine."

In response to CNN's questions about the two calls, the White House said that the United States is in contact with the Saudis, and that it is "focused on protecting our core national security interests, such as ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, while enabling our regional partners to take the lead in managing and resolving regional security challenges."

Senior diplomats from the Gulf states are expected to meet with the Iranian Foreign Minister in Oman on Monday, to discuss managing maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei on Saturday.