Two drones struck the U.S. embassy in Riyadh early Tuesday, causing a limited fire and material damage, Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry said, as tensions continue to rise across the region.
The ministry said an initial assessment indicated the attack involved unmanned aerial vehicles. There were no reports of injuries, according to people familiar with the matter, as the building was empty at the time of the incident.
Witnesses reported a loud explosion and flames at the embassy compound in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, where many foreign missions are located. Black smoke was seen rising over the area shortly after the blast.
The U.S. embassy issued a shelter-in-place advisory for American citizens in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran, urging them to avoid the embassy until further notice.
The attack comes amid ongoing Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting Gulf states that host U.S. military bases, following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday.
Reuters could not immediately verify the full circumstances surrounding the incident. An embassy spokesperson and the Saudi government media office did not respond to requests for comment.
The strike underscores growing instability in the region, with escalating hostilities raising concerns about the safety of diplomatic missions and the potential for further attacks.
