Riyadh – The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh announced its closure today, Tuesday. This includes the diplomatic mission’s headquarters in the Kingdom. All routine and emergency consular appointments are canceled. The decision follows an attack by Iranian drones. The attack caused a limited fire. The Embassy urged American citizens to remain in their residences.
They should avoid visiting the Embassy premises. Citizens must adhere to a personal safety plan. They should monitor official sources for updates. The Embassy confirmed that the shelter-in-place notice remains active. This applies to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran. Non-essential travel to military facilities should be reduced. Travel plans should be reviewed as needed. The Embassy emphasized registering for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. This program provides security updates. It also speeds up communication during emergencies. The alert listed available emergency numbers. These are 911, 999, 996, and 997.
They can be used for communication when necessary. The Saudi Ministry of Defense reported on its part. The Embassy was attacked by two drones. This resulted in a limited fire. It also caused minor material damage. No injuries were reported. Competent authorities have initiated necessary procedures regarding the incident. International media outlets published video clips of the explosions. These included Reuters and Fox News. They noted the Embassy was empty at the time of the attack. No injuries occurred.
This incident occurs amidst escalating regional tension. It follows Iranian attacks on U.S. interests in the region. The U.S. Embassy urged its citizens to follow official instructions. They should avoid demonstrations and gatherings. They must ensure compliance with safety procedures. This is until new instructions are issued.