US embassy in Riyadh hit by drones; Saudi Arabia issues shelter-in-place order

Two drones struck the US embassy in Riyadh early Tuesday, triggering a small fire and causing minor damage to the building, Saudi authorities said, as Iran continued its wave of retaliatory strikes across the Gulf.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry said preliminary assessments confirmed that the US diplomatic mission in Riyadh had been targeted. “The attack resulted in a limited fire and minor material damage to the building,” the statement noted.



According to AFP, smoke was seen rising from the compound housing the embassy and a source close to the Saudi military, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said air defence systems intercepted four drones aimed at Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter during the incident.




Following the attack, the US embassy issued a shelter-in-place advisory for American citizens in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dhahran as a precautionary measure. Non-essential travel to military installations in the region is being restricted. The mission said it continues to closely monitor the evolving regional situation and urged US nationals to review the latest security alerts and reassess travel plans in case of disruptions.

The advisory recommended staying indoors, remaining aware of surroundings, avoiding demonstrations, large gatherings and areas with heavy police presence, and following instructions from local authorities.

The mission advised US nationals to enrol or re-enrol in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates and facilitate contact in case of emergency. It also reminded citizens to ensure they hold a valid US passport for any short-notice travel.

Saudi Arabia’s unified emergency number — covering police, fire and traffic services — is 911. Other emergency contacts include police (999), highway security (996) and ambulance services (997).

The US Embassy in Riyadh can be reached at +966-11-835-4000, the Consulate General in Jeddah at +966-12-220-5000, and the Consulate General in Dhahran at +966-13-839-5700. The Bureau of Consular Affairs is available at 888-407-4747 from the US and Canada, and at +1-202-501-4444 from other locations.



Reacting to the news, US President Donald Trump indicated that a response is imminent. Speaking to NewsNation, the US President said the nature of the retaliation would be revealed soon, according to a reporter from the outlet who shared details of the interview on X on Monday.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry said that two drones struck the US embassy in Riyadh, sparking a limited fire and causing minor material damage, based on an initial assessment shared in a post on X on Tuesday.