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US Embassy in Saudi hit by 2 drones; Americans urged to avoid mission after attack
Located in Riyadh, the attack on the embassy led to a small fire and minor material damage to the building
- PUBLISHED: Tue 3 Mar 2026, 12:39 PM
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid Israeli, US strikes on Iran for the latest regional developments.]
The US Embassy in Saudi was hit by two drones on Tuesday, March 3, the Ministry of Defence revealed in a statement.
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The embassy, located in Riyadh, was attacked by two drones, which led to a small fire and minor material damage to the building.
Later in a statement, the US Mission to Saudi Arabia announced it would be closed on Tuesday, March 3, with all routine and emergency American Citizen Services appointments being cancelled.
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Americans in the country have been urged to avoid the embassy until further notice due to "an attack on the facility".
"The shelter in place notification for Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dhahran remains in place and we recommend American citizens in the Kingdom also continue to shelter in place. We continue to limit non-essential travel to any military installations in the region."
As the mission continues to monitor the situation, it urged all travellers to review its most recent 'Security Alerts' and go over any travel plans in case of disruptions, while making appropriate decisions to keep themselves and their families safe.
Citizens have been advised to maintain a personal safety plan. "Crises can happen unexpectedly while travelling or living abroad, and a good plan helps you think through potential scenarios and determine in advance the best course of action."
The embassy also issued actions for people to take during this time.
Shelter in place.
Refer to the mission's website for the latest Security Alerts.
Enroll or re-enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives the latest security updates and makes it easier for the US Embassy to contact citizens in an emergency.
Ensure you have a valid US passport for short-notice travel; visit embassy's website to schedule a passport appointment.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Avoid any demonstrations and large gatherings, and areas where there is a heavy police presence.
Monitor official information sources.
Follow the instructions of local authorities.
In case of any emergency, citizens have been advised to reach out to the following hotlines.
Local first responders in Saudi Arabia
Unified Emergency number (police, firefighters, traffic police, and others): 911
Police: 999
Highway security: 996
Ambulance: 997
The Embassy and Consulates General
Riyadh: +966-11-835-4000
Jeddah: +966-12-220-5000
Dhahran: +966-13-839-5700
The Bureau of Consular Affairs
From US and Canada: 888-407-4747
All other locations: 202-501-4444
