RIYADH: Two drones struck the United States Embassy in the Saudi capital early Tuesday, sparking a limited fire inside the diplomatic compound, Saudi officials said.
The Saudi Ministry of Defence said the attack caused minor material damage. It confirmed that a small fire broke out but did not spread.
The strike came as Iran retaliated across the Gulf following US-Israeli attacks. Reports later suggested five additional drones were downed by the Saudi Arabai defence system.
US President Donald Trump said Washington would soon respond to the embassy attack and the killing of four American service members.
“You’ll find out soon,” Trump told NewsNation.
Black smoke rose over Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, which houses foreign missions, according to Reuters. Witnesses reported a loud explosion and flames at the embassy compound.
Saudi officials and a source cited by Reuters said the fire remained small. Two people familiar with the matter said the embassy building was empty at the time of the strike. No casualties were reported.
A source close to the Saudi military told Agence France-Presse that air defenses intercepted four drones targeting the Diplomatic Quarter.
Earlier, the US Embassy urged Americans in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran to shelter in place. The mission advised citizens to avoid the embassy until further notice.
Also Read: Iran launches missile attack on Netanyahu’s Office and Air Force headquarters
The embassy said it continues to monitor the regional security situation.
