Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A fire broke out at the Embassy of the United States in Riyadh after what Saudi officials described as an Iranian drone attack, as Washington issued an emergency advisory urging US citizens to leave the Middle East. Witnesses reported smoke and additional explosions in the Saudi capital.
Drone attack and reported damage
Saudi officials said the US embassy in Riyadh was attacked by two drones, resulting in a limited fire and minor damage to the building.
Witnesses told Agence France-Presse they saw smoke rising above the compound. Shortly afterwards, further explosions were heard in the centre of Riyadh, with one resident saying they heard an explosion and felt their house shake.
Saudi air defences and security response
A source within the Saudi armed forces, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said air defences intercepted four unmanned aerial vehicles targeting the diplomatic quarter in the western part of the capital.
US guidance to citizens in Saudi Arabia
The US diplomatic mission instructed American nationals in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran to shelter in place and to avoid the embassy until further notice due to an attack on the compound.
Regional context and US advisory
The strike in Riyadh was described as part of a series of attacks Iran has launched against American military and diplomatic facilities in the region. Iranian drones also struck the US embassy in Kuwait City on Saturday and Monday, according to the report.
The Iranian military said it is continuing operations in retaliation for American military actions in Iran and other Gulf countries. The US State Department issued an emergency advisory urging American citizens to leave the Middle East as soon as possible, citing serious risks arising from the ongoing conflict with Iran.
How are you being advised to respond if you are a US citizen currently in the Middle East?
