US Orders Non-Essential Embassy Staff to Leave Saudi Arabia Amid Rising Iran Conflict

The US State Department has ordered non-essential embassy staff and family members to leave Saudi Arabia due to escalating security risks amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. This marks the first mandatory evacuation since US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28. The US embassy in Riyadh and other Gulf diplomatic missions have been targeted by Iranian drone attacks, causing damage but no reported casualties. Saudi Arabia has also intercepted drones targeting key oil facilities, reflecting heightened regional tensions.