The US Embassy in Riyadh was hit by two Iranian drones late Monday night, sparking a fire and causing material damage, Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry confirmed on Tuesday. No casualties were reported, as the building was unoccupied during the early morning hours of the strike.
The attack occurs amid intensifying hostilities in the Middle East following US and Israeli-led strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting American and Israeli military assets across the Gulf region.
In response to the attack, US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Tehran, stating, “You’ll find out soon what the retaliation will be.”
Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry posted on X that preliminary findings confirmed the US Embassy compound had been struck by two drones, triggering a fire that was contained by emergency services. A widely circulated video on social media captured thick smoke rising from the compound as fire engines rushed to the scene.
Following the incident, the US Embassy advised American citizens in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran to shelter in place. The mission also restricted non-essential travel to military installations in the region and urged residents to follow security alerts closely. “The US Mission to Saudi Arabia continues to monitor the regional situation. We encourage all travellers to review the most recent Security Alerts, review travel plans for potential disruptions, and make appropriate decisions for personal safety,” the statement read.
The escalation is part of a broader series of Iranian drone and missile attacks targeting Gulf nations hosting US military bases, following airstrikes conducted by the US and Israel on Iranian positions since February 28. The tit-for-tat confrontations have now extended into their fourth consecutive day.
Iran’s drone and missile launches have also targeted Israeli facilities, marking a significant intensification of hostilities in the region. Reports indicate that these attacks followed the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during coordinated US-Israeli air operations, though details remain contested.
Saudi authorities have not clarified whether the drones were intercepted before impact or how they breached the capital’s air defences. The government media office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Despite the embassy strike, Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport remains operational. However, neighbouring Gulf countries have reported hundreds of flight delays and cancellations due to temporary airspace closures caused by ongoing regional tensions.
The drone strike on the US Embassy underlines the escalating security threat across the Gulf and highlights the vulnerability of diplomatic and military installations amid a rapidly deteriorating regional crisis.
