The United States Embassy in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, recently came under attack from two drones reportedly launched by Iran. While there were no injuries, the assault resulted in minor material damage to the diplomatic facility.
As reported by CNN, referencing sources with knowledge of the situation, the drones successfully reached the American mission's premises.
The Saudi Ministry of Defense confirmed the incident, noting that it caused a small fire and slight property damage.
Following the attack, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran claimed responsibility for initiating actions to dismantle "U.S. political centers" in the area. They cited the embassy explosion in Riyadh as part of this endeavor, according to their Telegram channel updates mentioned by CNN.
In response, the U.S. diplomatic mission issued a security alert, instructing its personnel and advising American citizens in the kingdom to remain in their residences.
Through a message shared on Platform X, the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia announced a shelter-in-place advisory for Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dhahran, also restricting non-essential travel to military sites in the region.
On its official website, the American mission reiterated its recommendation for citizens to avoid the embassy until further notice and remain vigilant for new security alerts.
Additionally, it urged people to enroll or update their information in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive emergency updates.
This incident in Riyadh adds to the series of recent attacks targeting U.S. military and diplomatic sites in the region, amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. The State Department had not released additional comments at the time of this report's publication.
Frequently Asked Questions about the U.S. Embassy Attack in Saudi Arabia
What were the consequences of the drone attack on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh?
The attack resulted in minor material damage and a limited fire, but no injuries were reported.
Who has claimed responsibility for the drone attack?
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran claimed responsibility, stating it is part of efforts to dismantle U.S. political centers in the region.
What actions have been taken by the U.S. Embassy in response to the attack?
The embassy issued a security alert, advising personnel and American citizens to remain in place and avoid the embassy until further notice.