The US Embassy compound in Saudi Arabia’s capital caught fire late Monday night after what Saudi authorities described as a drone strike linked to Iran, as tensions across the Middle East deepened for a fourth straight day.
The incident comes amid a fast-moving military confrontation between Iran, the United States, and Israel, which has seen airstrikes, missile launches, and drone attacks spread across the Gulf region. The latest strike signals how the fallout is now touching diplomatic missions in key regional capitals.
According to Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry, two drones struck the US Embassy premises in Riyadh, triggering a blaze and causing material damage. The ministry shared preliminary details in a post on X, adding that no one was injured because the building was empty at the time of the strike.
US Embassy in Riyadh has been attacked in Saudi Arabia. Two Iranian Armed Drones target US Embassy in Saudi Arabia.#IranWar pic.twitter.com/x4cyLTyI1G
— Ashiesh Kumar (@KumarAshiesh) March 3, 2026
Embassy issues shelter advisory across Saudi cities
Soon after the incident, the US Embassy advised its staff and citizens to remain indoors. A shelter-in-place alert was issued for Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran through the embassy’s official X account. Non-essential travel to military sites in the region was restricted, and Americans living in Saudi Arabia were urged to prioritise safety.
“The US Mission to Saudi Arabia continues to monitor the regional situation. We encourage all travellers to review our most recent Security Alerts, review any travel plans in case of disruptions, and make appropriate decisions to keep themselves and their families safe,” the embassy said.
It further advised citizens to keep a personal safety plan ready, noting that emergencies can arise without warning.
A video widely shared online appeared to show flames and heavy smoke rising from inside the embassy compound while emergency vehicles moved in to tackle the fire.
The drone strike follows days of escalating exchanges between Iran and its adversaries. The confrontation intensified after coordinated US and Israeli air operations that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran has since launched missiles and drones at Israeli targets and US-linked military facilities in several Middle Eastern countries.
US President Donald Trump issued a brief but pointed warning to Tehran, saying, “You’ll find out soon what the retaliation will be.”
Saudi officials have not said whether the drones were intercepted before hitting the compound or how they penetrated air defences over the capital. The Saudi government media office did not immediately respond to queries.
Despite the attack, operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh continued. However, air travel across the Gulf has been disrupted, with hundreds of flights delayed or cancelled because of temporary airspace closures in neighbouring countries.