Iranian Drones Strike U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Americans Ordered to Shelter in Place

Two Iranian drones struck the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Monday, prompting American officials to issue shelter-in-place orders for U.S. citizens throughout the kingdom. The embassy was unoccupied during the attack, and no injuries were reported.

The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh issued a security alert on Tuesday maintaining the shelter-in-place directive for Americans in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dhahran, while advising all U.S. citizens across Saudi Arabia to remain indoors and avoid the embassy “until further notice” following the attack.

“We advise all U.S. citizens to maintain a personal safety plan. Crises can happen unexpectedly while traveling or living abroad, and a good plan helps you think through potential scenarios and determine in advance the best course of action,” the embassy stated in its Tuesday alert.

The embassy urged Americans to monitor its website for updates, enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), ensure passports remain valid for potential short-notice travel, and stay vigilant of surroundings while avoiding demonstrations and large gatherings.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced these directives in a video posted on social media, describing the incidents as “cowardly attacks” from Iran. He emphasized the importance of STEP registration to receive the latest safety guidance during the ongoing regional tensions.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attack, calling it a violation of international norms and conventions, including the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

“The Kingdom emphasizes that the repetition of this flagrant Iranian behavior, which comes despite the Iranian authorities’ knowledge that the Kingdom has affirmed it will not allow its airspace or territory to be used to target Iran, will push the region toward further escalation,” the ministry stated.

This attack represents the latest escalation in a series of retaliatory strikes Iran has launched across the region in response to Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.-Israeli military offensive against Iranian targets. Saudi Arabia had previously condemned Iranian strikes that targeted Riyadh and the Eastern Province on February 28, which Saudi forces successfully intercepted.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry had then stated: “These attacks cannot be justified under any pretext or in any way whatsoever, and they came despite the Iranian authorities’ knowledge that the Kingdom had affirmed it would not allow its airspace or territory to be used to target Iran.”

The embassy strike comes amid heightened regional tensions following Operation Epic Fury, which has prompted Iran to target U.S. interests and allies across the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran would not lead to an “endless war,” even as the conflict continues to escalate.

The situation has forced the U.S. State Department to order the evacuation of non-emergency personnel and their families from multiple countries in the region, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, signaling growing concerns about the safety of Americans throughout the Middle East.

Regional analysts note that this attack on diplomatic facilities represents a significant escalation in Iran’s retaliatory measures and could further strain already tense U.S.-Iran relations. The targeting of a diplomatic compound, protected under international law, demonstrates Iran’s willingness to expand the scope of its response to Operation Epic Fury beyond military targets.

Oil markets have shown volatility in response to the growing tensions in the region, with crude prices rising on fears that the conflict could potentially disrupt Saudi Arabia’s oil production, which remains crucial to global energy supplies.