The U.S. closed its embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait on Tuesday as Iran escalated retaliatory attacks across the Gulf, targeting U.S. diplomatic and military facilities in the region.
The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh shut down for the day after two drones struck the compound, sparking a small fire and causing minor damage, according to Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry, The New York Times reported.
Hours later, Saudi officials said they intercepted and destroyed eight additional drones near Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj. The embassy urged Americans to avoid the area as a precaution.
In Kuwait, a drone struck the U.S. Embassy compound Monday, according to U.S. officials cited in multiple reports.
The embassy announced early Tuesday that it would close until further notice, citing heightened regional tensions, NPR reported.
The closures come as Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Gulf nations hosting U.S. bases, including Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.
Jordan also reported attempted strikes.
While most projectiles have been intercepted, the expanding attacks mark a dramatic escalation following U.S. and Israeli operations targeting Iranian military infrastructure.
The State Department overnight ordered nonessential government personnel and their families to depart six Middle Eastern countries: the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, and Bahrain.
In Jordan, the U.S. Embassy in Amman temporarily evacuated staff after what officials described as an unspecified threat.
In Pakistan, protests tied to the regional conflict turned violent.
Demonstrators tried to storm the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, where at least 10 people were reported killed.
Two others were reported killed near the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. U.S. diplomatic posts in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar have suspended or limited operations.
President Donald Trump said Monday that the conflict could extend for weeks, saying the U.S. has the capability to sustain operations "far longer" if necessary.
In a social media post, Trump declared the U.S. has a "virtually unlimited supply" of munitions, adding that wars can be fought "forever" using current stockpiles.
The administration described the embassy closures as defensive measures amid a confrontation triggered by U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites.
Defense officials said U.S. forces remain on high alert and that most Iranian projectiles have been intercepted before causing significant damage.
Private-sector targets have also been affected. Amazon confirmed that two of its data centers in the UAE and one in Bahrain were hit by drones, disrupting operations.
Some critics warned of prolonged instability, while supporters of the administration said protecting U.S. personnel overseas is paramount.
The embassy closures highlight the seriousness of Tehran's retaliation and the scope of the conflict.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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