Iran strikes US embassy

The United States Embassy in Riyadh was hit by drones early Tuesday, sparking a limited fire and escalating tensions across the region.

It comes after Iran claimed responsibility for a separate strike on a US base in Bahrain.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that two drones struck the embassy compound in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, an area that houses several foreign missions. The ministry described the resulting blaze as small in scale and said the compound sustained only minor material damage. There were no reported casualties, as the embassy building was empty at the time of the attack.

Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion, with black smoke seen rising above the Diplomatic Quarter shortly after the strike. Security sources indicated that Saudi air defence systems intercepted four additional drones targeting the area, preventing further damage.

The embassy attack forms part of a broader escalation in the region. Iranian officials claimed they had also targeted a US military base in Bahrain, describing the move as retaliation for recent US-Israeli military operations. The developments have heightened pressure on Gulf Arab states that host American military and diplomatic facilities.

In Washington, US President Donald Trump signaled that a response would be forthcoming. Speaking to NewsNation, he said the US reaction to the embassy strike and the reported killing of several American service members would soon be made clear. “You’ll find out soon,” he stated, offering no additional details.

Earlier, the US Embassy issued a “shelter in place” advisory for American citizens in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran, urging them to remain indoors and avoid the embassy until further notice. “We recommend American citizens in the Kingdom shelter in place immediately and avoid the Embassy until further notice due to an attack on the facility,” the mission said in a statement.

The embassy later announced the cancellation of its services across several missions in Saudi Arabia, advising US nationals to maintain personal safety plans as authorities monitor the evolving security situation.

Observers note that the president’s approach of providing brief, selective comments to individual media outlets during the crisis has drawn attention in Washington, particularly at a time of heightened military tensions.

While damage to the Riyadh embassy was limited, the incident underscores the growing volatility in the region, with diplomatic and military sites increasingly caught in the crossfire of a widening confrontation.