US Embassy Riyadh Attacked by Iranian Drones as Saudi Arabia Condemns Strike and Trump Vows Retaliation

The US Embassy in Riyadh is under attack. Iranian drones struck the US Embassy Saudi Arabia compound in the early hours of Tuesday, March 3, 2026 ET, triggering a shelter-in-place order across three Saudi cities, closing the mission indefinitely, and drawing a swift vow of retaliation from President Donald Trump. The strike marks a dramatic escalation in a widening US-Iran-Israel conflict now entering its fourth day.

US Embassy Riyadh Hit by Two Drones: What Happened

A limited fire broke out at the United States Embassy in the Saudi capital of Riyadh after it was hit by two drones, while a fuel tank at Oman's Duqm commercial port was hit in a separate drone attack, increasing regional pressure on Gulf Arab states housing US assets.

The US Embassy Riyadh was targeted by two drones early Tuesday morning, causing a limited fire and minor material damage, according to initial estimates by the Saudi Ministry of Defence. The embassy building was empty at the time of the strike, and no casualties were reported.

An explosion was heard in the Diplomatic Quarter of Riyadh in the early morning hours, and a fire broke out at the US Embassy. A spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defence confirmed it had been struck by two drones. Shortly after, two more drones struck the Diplomatic Quarter.

Shelter in Place: US Embassy Saudi Arabia Closes All Operations

The US Mission to Saudi Arabia issued a shelter-in-place notification for Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dhahran, limiting non-essential travel to any military installations in the region. American citizens in the Kingdom were urged to shelter in place immediately and avoid the Embassy until further notice due to the attack on the facility.

The US Mission to Saudi Arabia is closed on Tuesday, March 3. All routine and emergency American Citizen Services appointments are cancelled. The shelter-in-place notification for Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dhahran remains in place.

The US State Department urged Americans in more than a dozen countries in the Middle East to depart now due to the ongoing conflict. The list includes Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE, and Yemen.

Saudi Arabia Condemns Attack on US Embassy, Reserves Right to Respond

Saudi Arabia condemned in the strongest terms the Iranian attack targeting the US Embassy in its capital Riyadh. In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry called it a cowardly and unjustified attack that violated international law protecting diplomatic premises and personnel in armed conflict.

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the Iranian attack on the US Embassy in Riyadh and stressed it reserved the full right to take all necessary measures to defend its security and respond to aggression. The kingdom also warned that such attacks risk pushing the broader region toward further dangerous escalation.

Trump Promises Retaliation: You Will Find Out Soon

President Donald Trump told the NewsNation media outlet that the US response to the embassy attack and the killing of several American service members would soon be made clear. "You'll find out soon," he said.

Two drones striking near the US Embassy in Riyadh pulled Saudi Arabia into a widening conflict among Iran, the US, and Israel, prompting Trump to vow retaliation. Trump added it likely would not be necessary to put boots on the ground.

Iran escalated attacks on Israel and targets across the Middle East, with six US service members killed. Three US fighter jets were mistakenly downed by Kuwait. The situation on the ground is shifting by the hour across the entire Gulf region.

Iran's Sweeping Retaliation Across the Gulf Region

Iran has shocked the region by firing hundreds of missiles and drones at every state across the Persian Gulf, hitting luxury hotels in Dubai and Bahrain, residential areas in Doha, Qatar, military sites and energy infrastructure in Kuwait, and vital seaports and waterways in Oman.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards vowed that the gates of hell will open more and more against the United States and Israel, with Brigadier General Ali-Mohammad Naeini saying the enemy must expect sustained and instructive attacks, and that IRGC forces remain fully operational.

US Central Command confirmed it had destroyed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields, vowing to continue taking decisive action against imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime.

Oil Prices Spike as Strait of Hormuz Threat Looms Over Riyadh Saudi Arabia and the Gulf

Oil supertanker rates rose to all-time highs following Iran's vow to close the Strait of Hormuz. Global benchmark Brent crude rose nearly 10 percent since the conflict broke out, with some analysts warning oil could cross $100 per barrel if the closure is prolonged. About 20 percent of global liquefied natural gas exports from the Gulf are also at risk.

All six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council — Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates — have come under fire from Iranian missiles and drones since Saturday. With the US Embassy in Riyadh now a target and Trump promising a response that will be revealed imminently, the next 24 hours in Saudi Arabia and across the region may prove decisive.