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Drone strike hits US embassy in Riyadh; Iran tensions escalate, historic Golestan Palace damaged
KATHMANDU: A drone attack targeted the United States Embassy in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, intensifying already heightened tensions across the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that two drones were launched toward the US diplomatic compound in Riyadh, reportedly aiming to damage the embassy building.
In an official statement posted on X, authorities said the attack caused a minor fire within the embassy premises and partial structural damage.
According to Reuters, a loud explosion was heard shortly after the strike, and thick black smoke was seen rising above the diplomatic zone.
The embassy had been evacuated before impact, and no casualties have been reported so far.
High Security Alert Issued
Following the incident, the US mission in Saudi Arabia urged its citizens and staff to remain on high alert. Americans in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran were instructed to “shelter in place,” while non-essential travel to military installations in the region was strongly discouraged.
The attack comes amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran. Recent claims surrounding strikes involving Israel and the United States have triggered threats of retaliation from Tehran, which has vowed to target US and Israeli military bases and diplomatic facilities in Gulf countries.
Earlier this week, suspicious smoke was reported near the US Embassy in Kuwait, prompting local diplomatic authorities to issue precautionary advisories.
Rising Fear Among Expat Communities
The deteriorating security situation has alarmed thousands of foreign workers across the Gulf, including Nepali migrant laborers.
Concerns have intensified after a Nepali security guard was killed in a similar-style attack at an airport in the United Arab Emirates.
With air-raid sirens reportedly sounding more frequently and drones spotted in the skies over parts of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE, expatriate communities say they feel increasingly vulnerable as regional instability deepens.
Historic Golestan Palace Damaged in Tehran Bombing
Meanwhile, cultural heritage has also suffered amid the expanding conflict. Iran’s historic Golestan Palace in Tehran sustained damage during a recent military strike, Iranian state media confirmed.
The palace, listed as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO, was reportedly affected by powerful explosions in the vicinity. Authorities said the blast occurred near Arg Square, close to the palace complex, causing structural damage to sections of the centuries-old architecture.
UNESCO expressed deep concern over the reported damage and appealed for the protection of cultural and historical heritage sites amid ongoing military operations.
Golestan Palace, an architectural masterpiece blending Persian artistry and royal grandeur, was constructed during the Qajar dynasty and later used by the Pahlavi monarchy as an official royal residence. The site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013 for its exceptional historical and cultural significance.
As military tensions intensify, fears are mounting that both civilian infrastructure and irreplaceable cultural landmarks could face further risk in the widening regional conflict.