Rebel forces in Yemen are thought to be to blame after a missile was fired on a US Navy warship in the Red Sea.

The USS Mason, a guided missile destroyer, was shot at with rockets but was undamaged. 

The vessel was on a routine patrol in international waters, according to officials. 

"USS Mason detected two inbound missiles over a 60-minute period while in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen. Both missiles impacted the water before reaching the ship," Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said.

"There were no injuries to our sailors and no damage to the ship."

The Pentagon did not specify how close the missiles came to the USS Mason. However, a US defence official told Reuters the first missile forced the USS Mason to take defensive measures.