Drone strike causes minor damage at US Embassy in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter; Trump says ‘response coming soon
RIYADH: The United States Embassy in Riyadh was struck by drones early Tuesday, causing a small fire and minor structural damage in Saudi Arabia’s capital, the Saudi Ministry of Defence said. Two drones hit the diplomatic compound in the heavily guarded Diplomatic Quarter, home to multiple foreign missions. Witnesses reported a loud explosion and smoke, though authorities quickly contained the blaze with no reported casualties.
A Saudi military source said air defence systems intercepted four other drones aimed at the district, illustrating rising regional tensions as Tehran retaliates against recent US‑Israeli military operations.
The US Embassy urged Americans in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran to “shelter in place” and avoid the compound. The State Department has also kept its Kuwait City embassy closed after a reported strike there a day earlier.
President Donald Trump, speaking to NewsNation, promised a forthcoming US response to both the embassy attack and recent Iranian strikes that killed American service members. Trump indicated he does not plan to deploy ground troops to Iran.
The Riyadh incident marks another escalation in the widening US‑Iran conflict, which has already disrupted commercial flights, shipping routes, and diplomatic activities across the Middle East.
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