Riyadh/Tehran, March 3 (.) The US Embassy in Riyadh said it had suspended services at its missions in Saudi Arabia after it was attacked by drones, as tensions across the Middle East escalated further. Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes, has been closed, and Iran has warned that vessels attempting to transit the waterway would be targeted.
In a statement posted on X, the embassy said all routine and emergency consular appointments were cancelled on Tuesday and that “shelter in place” measures were in effect at its missions in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran.
“Avoid the Embassy until further notice due to an attack on the facility,” the statement said.
“We advise all U.S. citizens to maintain a personal safety plan,” it added.
There was no immediate official comment from Saudi authorities on the reported incident.
The US Embassy in Riyadh was targeted by drones early this morning causing minor fire but no casualties, Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki said.
“The US Embassy in Riyadh was targeted by drones, according to preliminary assessments. The incident resulted in a limited fire and minor material damage to the building,’’ the spokesperson said, according to Saudi Gazette.
The spokesperson said five drones were intercepted and destroyed near Prince Sultan Air Base, south of Riyadh, in addition to two drones that attempted to attack the Ras Tanura oil refinery in the Eastern Province. A small fire broke out at the refinery due to debris falling near civilian areas during the interception, but no injuries were reported.
Moreover, Financial markets across Asia fell sharply as investors reacted to the widening conflict and the risk of prolonged disruption to energy supplies.
Stocks linked to energy, aviation, shipping and transport were among the hardest hit. South Korea’s main market closed down about 5% in morning trade, while Japan’s Nikkei index fell roughly 2.3%.
In addition, Iran has warned ships against transiting Hormuz, with an Iranian Revolutionary Guards official saying the Strait of Hormuz had been closed and that vessels attempting to pass would be targeted, according to state media.
“The strait (of Hormuz) is closed. If anyone tries to pass, the heroes of the Revolutionary Guards and the regular navy will set those ships ablaze,” Ebrahim Jabari, a senior adviser to the Guards commander-in-chief, was quoted as saying.
The Strait of Hormuz, around 33 kilometres (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point, links major Gulf oil producers, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, to global markets via the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption passes through the waterway.
The closure follows recent exchanges of missile fire involving Gulf states hosting US military bases, including Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, as well as strikes targeting the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
The move threatens to disrupt global oil flows and push crude prices higher, raising concerns about energy security and economic fallout well beyond the region.
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