A suspected Iranian drone strike hit the CIA station located inside the US Embassy compound in Saudi Arabia’s capital, according to multiple reports.
The attack caused structural damage to the embassy building as tensions across the Middle East continue to escalate following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Two suspected Iranian drones struck the US Embassy complex in Riyadh on Monday, according to a report by The Washington Post, which cited two people familiar with the matter.
The report said that the CIA’s intelligence hub located within the embassy compound was among the targets hit. However, both the United States and Saudi governments only confirmed that drones struck the embassy complex, without publicly disclosing that the CIA facility was affected.
Another source told CNN that two additional suspected drones struck “at or near” the embassy compound, indicating multiple aerial threats in the area.
Embassy sustains structural damage
An internal US State Department alert obtained by The Washington Post revealed that the strike caused part of the embassy’s roof to collapse and filled interior areas with smoke.
The building suffered significant structural damage, and embassy personnel were instructed to shelter in place during the incident.
Despite the damage, no CIA casualties were reported, according to sources familiar with the situation. The CIA declined to comment publicly on the matter.
Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry described the attack as causing “limited fire and minor material damage.”
Iran expands retaliation
The reported drone strike comes amid a widening regional conflict, as Iran expands its retaliatory campaign against American diplomatic and intelligence facilities across the Gulf.
Tensions surged after the United States and Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran on Saturday, which reportedly killed nearly 800 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Since then, Iran has launched drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and several Gulf countries, many of which host US military bases and assets.
Saudi Arabia intercepts drones, missiles
Saudi authorities said their air defenses shot down nine drones that entered Saudi airspace and intercepted two cruise missiles in the Al-Kharj region southeast of Riyadh.
In response to the growing threats, the Saudi Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a virtual session, declared that the kingdom would take all necessary measures to defend its security and safeguard its territory, citizens, and residents.
Multiple US military sites across region targeted
According to The New York Times, Iran has struck at least six US military facilities across the Middle East since the conflict escalated.
Using satellite imagery, verified videos, and statements from US officials, the newspaper reported damage to several key installations, including:
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US Navy Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain
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Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait
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Camp Arifjan in Kuwait
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Erbil International Airport military base in Iraq
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Jebel Ali Port US naval recreational area in Dubai
Satellite imagery analysis revealed destroyed satellite communications terminals and heavily damaged structures in Bahrain and Kuwait.
Further reporting indicates that Iran has targeted at least 11 US military facilities across the region, including:
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Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain
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Camp Arifjan, Ali al-Salem Air Base, and Camp Buehring in Kuwait
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Erbil Base in Iraq
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Jebel Ali Port in Dubai
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Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar
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Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia
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Al Ruwais installation and Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE
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Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan
US military casualties in Kuwait
Meanwhile, the United States confirmed that six American service members were killed in Kuwait following an Iranian retaliatory strike.
US Central Command initially reported three deaths, but later revised the figure to six casualties after additional confirmations.
According to the BBC, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said a “powerful weapon” struck a fortified tactical operations center.
US officials told CBS News that the fatalities occurred in an apparent drone strike on a makeshift office structure protected by reinforced concrete barriers at Camp Arifjan, where the United States maintains more than 13,000 troops in Kuwait.
Separately, US officials confirmed that three American fighter jets were downed in Kuwait in a “friendly fire” incident during the heightened military activity.
Videos circulating online showed aircraft spiraling downward before crashing, though all pilots managed to eject safely and survived.
While Iranian state media claimed Iranian forces shot down the jets, US officials said the losses were caused by misidentification during air defense operations.
Damage to US military infrastructure mounts
According to an analysis by The New York Times, Iranian strikes have damaged structures near communication and radar systems at a minimum of seven US military facilities since February 28.
The attacks have targeted installations across Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, and Dubai, demonstrating the broad geographic scope of the conflict.
Türkiye’s state-run Anadolu Agency estimated that the total cost of destroyed US military equipment has approached $2 billion.
