An explosion set an Iranian oil tanker travelling through the Red Sea near the Saudi port of Jeddah on Friday.

The vessel owned by the National Iranian Tanker Company was hit about 100 kilometres (60 miles) off the Saudi coast, causing the oil to leak into the Red Sea, report says.

"Those behind the attack are responsible for the consequences of this dangerous adventure, including the dangerous environmental pollution caused," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Musavi said.