The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh has been struck by two Iranian drones, escalating tensions in the region as Tehran continues retaliatory attacks following the U.S.-Israel military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury.
The embassy building was empty at the time of the strike, and no injuries were reported.
By Tuesday, the embassy issued a security alert confirming that a shelter-in-place order remains in effect for Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dhahran. U.S. citizens throughout Saudi Arabia were instructed to remain indoors and to “avoid the embassy until further notice.”
The embassy’s Tuesday alert reads:
“We advise all U.S. citizens to maintain a personal safety plan. Crises can happen unexpectedly while traveling or living abroad, and a good plan helps you think through potential scenarios and determine in advance the best course of action.”
State Department Issues Safety Guidance
The embassy urged Americans to:
• Shelter in place
• Monitor the embassy website for updates
• Enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
• Ensure passports are valid for potential short-notice travel
• Remain aware of surroundings
• Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings
• Follow instructions from local authorities
• Monitor official information sources
Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed Americans in the region in a video posted on X.
Rubio is urging them to register with STEP to receive real-time safety updates amid what he described as “cowardly attacks” from Iran.
WATCH:
To all American citizens in the Middle East: your safety and security is our number one priority.
Sign up to receive STEP alerts at https://t.co/SpQfuj4gN2.
Get information at @TravelGov and you can call the department 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444. pic.twitter.com/G8grZVgmCF
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 2, 2026
Saudi Arabia Condemns the Strike
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the drone strike on the U.S. diplomatic facility.
In a statement, the ministry said:
“The repetition of this cowardly and unjustified attack blatantly violates all international norms and laws, including the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.”
The statement warned that continued Iranian aggression could further destabilize the region.
“The Kingdom emphasizes that the repetition of this flagrant Iranian behavior, which comes despite the Iranian authorities’ knowledge that the Kingdom has affirmed it will not allow its airspace or territory to be used to target Iran, will push the region toward further escalation.”
Saudi Arabia had previously condemned Iranian retaliation strikes on Feb. 28.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its rejection and condemnation in the strongest terms of the blatant and cowardly Iranian attacks that targeted the Riyadh Region and the Eastern Province, which were successfully intercepted,” the earlier statement read.
“These attacks cannot be justified under any pretext or in any way whatsoever, and they came despite the Iranian authorities’ knowledge that the Kingdom had affirmed it would not allow its airspace or territory to be used to target Iran.”
Regional Escalation Continues
Iran has launched attacks targeting Israel and multiple countries hosting U.S. assets in response to Operation Epic Fury.
The strike on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh marks a direct escalation against American diplomatic infrastructure.
Amid the widening conflict, the State Department has ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel and their families from Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates.
As Tehran continues its missile and drone campaign, U.S. officials have signaled that force protection remains a top priority while the broader military operation against Iranian capabilities continues.
READ MORE – Wreckage of Iranian Drone Targeting UK Air Base Contained Russian ‘Kometa’ Chip
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