The directive issued on March 8 applies only to those employees who are not dealing with urgent matters, as well as to the family members of embassy staff. The announcement was published on March 9 on the diplomatic mission's website, which also contains information about the current situation.
It is worth noting that just a few days earlier, on March 3, these groups were already given the option to leave the country voluntarily.
The State Department also reiterated its call for American citizens to reconsider their travel plans to Saudi Arabia, citing the "threat of attacks by Iranian drones and missiles on U.S. interests, as well as risks related to terrorism, armed conflicts, and local laws concerning social media."
Since the onset of the conflict with Iran, which began on February 28, Saudi Arabia has faced several attacks from them. On March 3, there was an attack on the U.S. embassy building in Riyadh using two drones. According to a representative of the Saudi Ministry of Defense, the fire was "limited," and the damage was minor. However, according to information from The Washington Post, the building sustained significant damage: part of the roof collapsed, and a fire broke out inside.
Americans were advised to immediately seek shelter in safe locations and avoid visiting the diplomatic mission until further notice.
In addition to Saudi Arabia, Iran also attacked American embassies in Baghdad, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
