Drone Strikes Hit US Embassy in Riyadh and Omani Port Amid Rising Tensions
A series of drone attacks have targeted key locations in the Gulf region, escalating tensions amid ongoing US-Israeli conflicts with Iran. The United States Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was struck by two drones, resulting in a "limited fire" and minor material damage, according to the Saudi Ministry of Defence. The incident occurred early on Tuesday, with subsequent reports indicating additional drones targeting the site as part of Iran's retaliatory measures against US-Israeli actions.
Black smoke was observed over Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter, which houses numerous foreign missions, following the attack. Witnesses reported hearing a loud blast and seeing flames at the embassy, although the fire was described as small in scale. The embassy was unoccupied at the time, and no casualties were reported. Saudi air defences reportedly intercepted four drones aimed at the Diplomatic Quarter.
In a related incident, a drone attack struck a fuel tank at Oman’s Duqm commercial port, causing limited material damage but no casualties. The state-run Oman News Agency confirmed the attack, which further heightened regional pressure on Gulf states hosting US assets.
Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for a large-scale drone and missile attack on a US airbase in Bahrain. According to the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the IRGC launched 20 drones and three missiles at the Sheikh Isa airbase, purportedly destroying the main command headquarters, although no evidence was provided to substantiate these claims.
The US Department of State responded by ordering the departure of nonemergency personnel from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Iraq as a precautionary measure. This directive follows a warning from US Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Mora Namdar, urging Americans in several Middle Eastern countries, including Iran and Israel, to "DEPART NOW" using available commercial transport.
In Kuwait, the US Embassy announced its indefinite closure due to "regional tensions," while the US Embassy in Jerusalem reported its inability to evacuate or assist Americans wishing to leave Israel. The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia issued a "shelter in place" advisory for American citizens in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran, advising them to avoid the embassy until further notice.
President Donald Trump, speaking to NewsNation, indicated that the US response to the embassy attack and the deaths of several American service members would be forthcoming, stating, "You'll find out soon." The situation remains tense as the region braces for potential further escalations.