Saudi Arabia vows firm response after drones hit US embassy in Riyadh

RIYADH – Saudi Arabia has pledged to take “all necessary measures” to safeguard its security and protect its territory, citizens and residents, after drones struck the United States embassy in Riyadh amid escalating Iranian missile and drone attacks across the Gulf.

The Saudi cabinet statement, carried by the state news agency early on Wednesday, came hours after the kingdom’s defence ministry confirmed the drone attacks against the US embassy on Tuesday. The strike caused a limited fire and some material damage, according to an initial assessment posted on X. No injuries were reported.

The attack forms part of a broader wave of Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting Gulf states that host US military bases, following joint US and Israeli attacks on Iran on Saturday.

Embassy hit amid rising tensions

Three people familiar with the matter said a loud blast was heard and flames were seen at the embassy compound early on Tuesday morning. One described the fire as minor. Black smoke was seen rising above Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, home to numerous foreign missions.

Two of the sources said there were no casualties, noting that the building was largely empty at the time of the strike in the early morning hours.

The embassy issued a “shelter in place” notice for US citizens in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran, urging them to avoid the embassy “until further notice due to an attack” on the facility. It later cancelled routine and emergency consular appointments.

“There is a threat of imminent missile and UAV attacks over Dhahran. Do not come to the US Consulate,” the mission said in a security alert.

An embassy spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment, nor did the Saudi government media office.

CIA station reportedly affected

A source familiar with the matter said that the Central Intelligence Agency’s station at the US embassy compound was struck on Monday by a suspected Iranian drone. There was no indication that the CIA facility was specifically targeted, the source said. The CIA declined to comment.

The embassy in Riyadh is among several US-linked sites hit since the conflict widened beyond Iran’s borders.

Tehran has said it is targeting American assets in the region in retaliation for the strikes on its territory, though Gulf governments have accused Iran of endangering civilian areas and diplomatic missions.

Saudi warning

In its statement, the Saudi cabinet underscored that the kingdom would act decisively to defend its sovereignty. While the statement did not outline specific countermeasures, the language signals Riyadh’s readiness to respond should further attacks occur.

Saudi Arabia, a longstanding US security partner, hosts American military personnel and critical infrastructure. The drone strike on the US embassy represents a significant escalation, striking at the heart of the kingdom’s diplomatic district and raising concerns about the safety of foreign missions.

The developments highlight the growing spillover from the US-Israeli campaign against Iran into the wider Gulf region. As missile and drone threats persist, diplomatic compounds and energy infrastructure alike have come under heightened risk, deepening fears of a broader regional confrontation.