Iran has launched a drone attack on the United States Embassy in Riyadh, sparking a fire within the Saudi capital’s diplomatic quarter in the early hours of Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that two drones struck the embassy compound, causing minor structural damage and igniting what officials described as a small fire. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the area, which houses several foreign missions.
Authorities said the embassy building was empty at the time of the incident, and no casualties were recorded. Air defence systems reportedly intercepted four additional drones that were targeting the diplomatic district during the assault.
Following the attack, the embassy advised American citizens to stay away from the compound.
The development comes shortly after the United States Embassy in Kuwait announced its temporary closure. The United States Department of State has also ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel and their families from Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar and Jordan as a precautionary measure.
Reacting to the incident, US President Donald Trump told reporters that Washington’s response to both the embassy strike and the killing of American service members would soon be made known. “You’ll find out soon,” he said.
The embassy attack marks a further escalation of tensions across the Gulf region. Iranian forces have in recent days launched drone and missile strikes at locations in countries hosting American military assets, describing the operations as retaliation for joint US-Israeli attacks on Iranian territory.
On Monday, Saudi state oil giant Saudi Aramco shut down its Ras Tanura refinery after debris from a reported Iranian drone strike triggered a fire at the facility.
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