US Embassy in Saudi Arabia Hit by Iranian Drones

Powerful explosions were reported to have struck the US Embassy complex in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, in the early hours of Tuesday, 3 March 2026. The incident triggered fires in the diplomatic area following an attack by two unmanned aircraft (drones).

Four eyewitnesses reported to Agence France-Presse (AFP), as cited by The Guardian, that loud explosion sounds were heard accompanied by plumes of smoke in the diplomatic quarter, which houses numerous foreign embassies and diplomatic residences.

“I heard two explosions followed by smoke billowing above the area,” said one local resident. According to Fox News reports, the embassy building was empty at the time of the attack, resulting in no reported casualties.

The Saudi Defence Ministry confirmed that the embassy complex was struck by two drones, resulting in “limited” fire and minor damage.

Following the attack, the US Diplomatic Mission in Saudi Arabia immediately issued a shelter-in-place notification for all its personnel in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dhahran. The embassy also restricted non-essential travel to any military installations in the region.

“We recommend American citizens in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to shelter in place immediately. The US Mission continues to monitor the evolving regional situation,” the statement from US authorities stated.