Saudi Arabia: Security

Domestic

Saudi Arabia's air defenses intercepted and destroyed multiple drones and missiles targeting the capital, Riyadh. The Saudi defense ministry reported that some of the drones struck the US embassy complex, causing a fire, while other projectiles targeted the diplomatic quarter and areas to the east and north of the city. The ministry stated that some of the intercepted drones were of Iranian origin.

International

In response to the attack on the US embassy in Riyadh, Trump said a US response would be coming 'soon'. The attacks prompted the evacuation of US embassies in Kuwait and Iraq, and a US base in Bahrain was also reportedly targeted. Concurrently, Iran has conducted strikes in the region, including an attack on a US radar in Jordan. Gulf states have reportedly complained that the US did not notify them of some Iranian attacks and are looking to acquire interceptor missiles and drones, including from Ukraine, for defense. Iran's military campaign has widened to include attacks on Israel and US military bases across the Middle East, raising security risks for UK forces and civilians as the conflict expands geographically.