Donald Trump has blamed Iran after Saudi Arabia was forced to blast a ballistic missile out of the sky near Riyadh.

The US President called Saudi Arabia's King Salman in the aftermath of the incident to discuss counter-terrorism efforts and 'the continuing threat of Iranian-backed Houthi militias in Yemen'.

Trump said: 'A shot was just taken by Iran, in my opinion, at Saudi Arabia. And our system knocked it down,' referring to the Patriot missile batteries Saudi Arabia has purchased from the US.

'That's how good we are. Nobody makes what we make and now we're selling it all over the world.'

US President Donald Trump (left) is welcomed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (right) upon his arrival at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe, near Tokyo, Japan

The missile was destroyed near Riyadh's King Khaled international airport and was said to be of 'limited size'. Pictured, Mohammad Bin Salman

Saudi Arabia said its forces intercepted a ballistic missile fired by Iran-backed rebels in Yemen toward one of the kingdom's major international airports on the outskirts of Riyadh.

A Saudi-led coalition launched a war against the Houthi rebels and their allies in March 2015 that grinds on today, a campaign overseeing by Crown Prince Mohammed.

The missile fire drew an immediate rebuke from President Donald Trump, who blamed Iran in part for the attack from Japan where he is visiting dignitaries.

The missile was destroyed near Riyadh's King Khaled international airport and was said to be of 'limited size'.

No injuries or damage were reported.

When The White House made contact with Riyadh, President Trump also thanked the monarch for Saudi Arabia's military purchases, including a $15 billion investment in the American-made THAAD anti-ballistic missile defense system.

Only hours before the missile was shout out of the sky, Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri resigned from his post in a televised address from Riyadh, offering a vicious tirade against Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah group for what he said was their meddling in Arab affairs.

'Iran's arms in the region will be cut off,' Hariri said.

Iran-backed Yemeni Huthi rebels claimed responsibility for firing missile, which was targeting the airport, the Huthis' Al-Masirah television said.

Yemen, Saudi Arabia's southern neighbour, has been ripped apart by a war between the Saudi-backed government of president Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi and Huthi rebels backed by Iran.

A Saudi-led coalition became involved in 2015 to help prop up Hadi's government after Shiite Huthis seized the capital Sanaa.

Images shared on social media show a flash of light flying through the sky in what is believed to be the missile being intercepted

Rebels continue to hold much of Yemen and the United Nations has warned the country is on the brink of famine.

The intergovernmental organisation has failed to agree a peace deal to end the fighting, which has left more than 8,600 people dead since the coalition entered the conflict.

More than 2,100 people in Yemen have been killed since a chlorea outbreak in April as hospitals struggled to secure basical supplies amid a coalition air and sea blockade.