Saudi Arabia: Limited fire at US embassy in Riyadh after drone attack

The US embassy in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, was targeted by two drones early on Tuesday morning, causing a limited fire and minor material damage, according to initial estimates by the Saudi Ministry of Defence.

Two sources said the fire broke out following an explosion. 

Fox News reported that the embassy was empty at the time of the attack and that no injuries were recorded. The embassy urged US citizens in Saudi Arabia, in a post on X, to shelter in place immediately.

Three informed sources said a loud explosion was heard and flames were seen rising from the US embassy in Riyadh in the early hours of Tuesday. One source described the fire as limited.

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Black smoke was seen rising above Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, where foreign missions are located.

A correspondent for News Nation wrote on X that US President Donald Trump told the network that the response to the attack on the US embassy in Riyadh, and to the killing of American soldiers during the conflict with Iran, would be known soon.

Later on, Tuesday morning, further explosions were heard in Riyadh, according to an AFP journalist and residents, as Iran continued to target Gulf states in response to US and Israeli attacks against it, which reportedly resulted in the killing of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.

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