CAIRO — Saudi Arabia said Saturday that Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile toward Riyadh, the first reported attempt to target the Saudi capital since fighting linked to the Iran conflict intensified across the region. The Saudi-led coalition said the missile was intercepted during a dawn attack. Residents reported hearing an explosion in Riyadh, and some later saw smoke near the airport. No deaths, injuries or property damage were reported. The coalition also said it thwarted attempted attacks on civilian infrastructure in Yanbu, a Red Sea port and the endpoint of a major Saudi oil pipeline, as well as in Taif, Baysh and the Farasan Islands. It did not provide additional details about the weapons or the specific facilities targeted. Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said the group had launched cruise and ballistic missiles and drones at “sensitive sites” in Riyadh and facilities operated by Saudi oil giant Aramco in Yanbu. He claimed the strikes caused major fires but offered no evidence. Saudi Arabia’s account and the Houthi claims could not be independently verified. Saree also accused Saudi Arabia of attacking Sanaa, the Houthi-held capital of Yemen, without providing details. The Houthis control much of northern Yemen, while Saudi Arabia supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government. The latest exchange follows several days of escalating attacks. Saudi authorities said Wednesday that they intercepted a Houthi drone aimed at Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, and described the city’s security as a “red line.” The Houthis denied responsibility for that attempted strike. On Thursday, Saudi civil defense officials said debris from an intercepted Houthi drone killed a Yemeni resident in Saudi Arabia, the first reported civilian death in the recent escalation. The fighting is also affecting one of the world’s most important shipping corridors. The Houthis have advanced along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, reportedly capturing the port city of Mokha and islands near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the southern gateway to the Red Sea. The conflict has raised concerns about energy shipments, commercial shipping and broader market instability. The United States, a close Saudi ally, has indicated that it is not currently fighting the Houthis. Regional officials say Saudi Arabia is running short of missile interceptors and has sought air-defense assistance from France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt. The expanding conflict threatens to deepen Yemen’s already devastating war while drawing additional foreign powers into a confrontation involving Saudi Arabia, the Houthis and Iran. Attacks on oil facilities and shipping infrastructure could also increase risks for civilians and disrupt trade far beyond the region.