The United States Embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones early Tuesday, triggering a small fire but causing only minor damage, Saudi authorities said. Iran separately claimed it had struck a US military base in Bahrain, raising tensions across the Gulf.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense said the drone attack caused “limited fire” and minor material damage at the diplomatic compound. Later reports said additional drones were detected near the site as Iran carried out retaliatory actions across the region following US-Israeli attacks.
Black smoke was seen rising over Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, which hosts several foreign missions, according to Reuters. Witnesses reported a loud blast and flames, though officials said the fire was small and quickly contained.
The embassy building was empty at the time of the attack and no casualties were reported, sources told Reuters. A Saudi military source, speaking anonymously, told AFP that air defences intercepted four drones targeting the Diplomatic Quarter.
US President Donald Trump told NewsNation that Washington’s response to the embassy attack and the killing of US service members would be announced soon, saying, “You’ll find out soon.”
Earlier, the US Embassy issued a “shelter in place” advisory for American citizens in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran, urging them to avoid the embassy until further notice.
Separately, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it carried out a drone and missile attack on a US air base in Bahrain. The statement, published by the official IRNA, said 20 drones and three missiles were launched at the Sheikh Isa base. No independent confirmation was provided.
Iran said the attacks were part of a broader response to US and Israeli strikes on its territory that began on Saturday.
