Two drones struck the United States Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, in the early hours of Tuesday, causing minor damage and a small fire.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed the attack, saying the drones hit the embassy compound and triggered limited material damage. Authorities said no casualties were recorded as the building was reportedly empty at the time.
Plumes of black smoke were seen rising from Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter, which houses several foreign missions. Air defence systems were said to have intercepted four other drones targeting the area during the assault.
The embassy later advised American citizens to avoid the compound. The incident followed a separate development at the US Embassy in Kuwait, which announced it would remain closed until further notice.
The United States Department of State ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel and their families from Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar and Jordan as a precaution.
US President Donald Trump told reporters that Washington’s response to the embassy attack and the reported killing of American service members would soon be made known.
The strike comes amid rising tensions across the Gulf region, with Iran launching drone and missile attacks on locations hosting American military assets, describing the moves as retaliation for joint US-Israeli strikes on its territory.
On Monday, Saudi Aramco shut down its Ras Tanura refinery after debris from an Iranian drone attack sparked a fire at the facility.