American diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait closed following reported drone impacts as Iran broadened retaliatory attacks across the region.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The United States temporarily closed its embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait after Iranian drone attacks targeted American diplomatic compounds amid escalating regional hostilities.
The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh suspended operations Tuesday after two drones struck the compound, igniting a small fire and causing minor structural damage, according to Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry. Coverage of the incident was detailed by The New York Times, which reported that Saudi air defenses later intercepted and destroyed eight additional drones near Riyadh and the nearby city of Al-Kharj.
Following the strikes, the embassy advised American citizens to avoid the surrounding area as a precaution.
In Kuwait, a drone also struck the U.S. Embassy compound on Monday, according to U.S. officials cited in multiple reports. The embassy announced early Tuesday that it would close until further notice due to heightened security concerns, as reported by NPR.
The diplomatic shutdowns occurred as Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Gulf nations hosting U.S. military installations, including Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Jordan reported attempted strikes as well.
Defense officials said most projectiles were intercepted before causing significant damage, but the scope of the attacks represents a significant escalation following recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure.
Overnight, the State Department ordered nonessential U.S. government personnel and their families to depart six Middle Eastern countries: the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan and Bahrain.
In Jordan, the U.S. Embassy in Amman temporarily evacuated staff after officials cited an unspecified threat.
Violence also erupted in Pakistan amid protests tied to the regional conflict. Demonstrators attempted to storm the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, where at least 10 people were reported killed. Two additional fatalities were reported near the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. American diplomatic posts in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar have either suspended or limited operations.
President Donald Trump said Monday that the confrontation could continue for weeks, stating that the United States has the capacity to sustain operations “far longer” if required. In a social media statement, he asserted that the U.S. possesses a “virtually unlimited supply” of munitions and that wars can be fought “forever” using existing stockpiles.
Administration officials described the embassy closures as defensive measures intended to protect personnel during an expanding confrontation triggered by U.S. strikes on Iranian targets.
Private-sector facilities have also been affected. Amazon confirmed that two of its data centers in the United Arab Emirates and one in Bahrain sustained drone strikes, disrupting operations.
U.S. military forces in the region remain on high alert as retaliatory exchanges continue. The closure of multiple embassies underscores the widening geographic reach of Iran’s response and the heightened security posture adopted by the United States across the Gulf.