Live tracking of embassy attack, Saudi military response, oil disruption, and Dhahran strike warning.
On March 4, Iranian drones struck the US Embassy compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — marking the first direct Iranian attack on a US diplomatic facility since the 1979 Tehran hostage crisis. Multiple embassy buildings sustained damage, with fire and explosions reported. The US Ambassador was evacuated. President Trump called it “an act of war that will be answered.”
Saudi Arabia immediately shut its largest oil refinery and deployed additional Patriot missile batteries. Crown Prince MBS convened an emergency national security council. The Kingdom recalled its ambassador from Tehran and ordered all Iranian diplomatic missions closed — effectively killing the 2023 China-brokered normalization deal. Saudi Arabia has authorized US forces to use Saudi airspace and bases for defensive operations, decisively abandoning its earlier neutrality.
The US Embassy in Riyadh issued an alert warning of imminent Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting Dhahran — Saudi Arabia's eastern energy hub and the heart of its oil infrastructure. Dhahran hosts Saudi Aramco's headquarters and is surrounded by critical facilities including Abqaiq and Ras Tanura. Brent crude has surged past $90/bbl, with analysts warning prices could reach $120 if Dhahran is struck. An OPEC emergency session has been convened.
Saudi Arabia is slashing its crude oil exports to Asia in April, for a second month in a row, as the de facto closed Strait of Hormuz is stranding most of the supply from the world’s top crude exporter. Saudi oil giant Aramco has notified customers of term supply in Asia that they would receive in
Move follows attack on Red Sea port of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia's main oil export outlet, after Iran blocked Hormuz Strait.
Yes. On March 4, 2026, multiple Iranian Shahed-series drones penetrated Saudi air defenses and struck the US Embassy compound in Riyadh. Fire and explosions were reported. Multiple embassy buildings sustained damage. The US Ambassador was evacuated. This is the first direct Iranian attack on a US diplomatic facility since the 1979 Tehran hostage crisis.
Yes. Saudi Arabia shut its largest oil refinery as a precaution after the embassy attack. Aramco activated emergency contingency protocols at all major facilities. The US Embassy warned of imminent strikes on Dhahran — Saudi Arabia's eastern energy hub. Brent crude surged past $90/bbl. If Dhahran is hit, analysts warn oil could reach $120.
Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador from Tehran and ordered the closure of all Iranian diplomatic missions in the Kingdom. Crown Prince MBS convened an emergency national security council meeting. Saudi Arabia authorized US forces to use Saudi airspace and bases for defensive operations. The 2023 China-brokered normalization deal with Iran is effectively dead.
The US Embassy in Riyadh issued an urgent alert warning of imminent Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting Dhahran. Dhahran hosts Saudi Aramco headquarters and is surrounded by critical oil infrastructure including Abqaiq and Ras Tanura. Additional Patriot batteries have been deployed. An attack on Dhahran would be catastrophic for global energy supplies.
Flights in and out of Riyadh are still operating but subject to disruption. The State Department ordered non-essential personnel to leave Saudi Arabia and issued a Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisory. US citizens in Saudi Arabia are urged to shelter in place or leave. Multiple international carriers have reduced Saudi routes due to regional airspace restrictions.
Iran's IRGC framed the embassy strike as retaliation for the US-Israeli assassination of Supreme Leader Khamenei and the destruction of Iranian military infrastructure during Operation Epic Fury. By hitting the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia, Iran signaled willingness to strike American targets anywhere in the region and forced Saudi Arabia to pick sides in the conflict.