A dramatic escalation in Middle East hostilities has forced the US embassies closed Iran strikes, as American diplomatic missions across the region shutter amid intensified attacks by Tehran. On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was struck by two Iranian drones, causing a localized fire and the immediate suspension of consular services.
Simultaneously, the US Embassy in Kuwait City announced its closure “until further notice” following a wave of missile and drone activity targeting diplomatic installations. These measures mark a significant retreat as Washington moves to safeguard its personnel from Tehran’s retaliatory campaign in response to the joint US-Israeli “Operation Epic Fury.”
The situation deteriorated so rapidly that the State Department issued a rare “Depart Now” order for American citizens in 14 countries, including Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
In the UAE, US officials mandated the departure of non-emergency government personnel and their families after Iran publicly threatened American-linked sites. The US Embassy in Jerusalem also closed its doors, following guidance from Israel’s Home Front Command amid ongoing drone and rocket strikes.
Military briefings from US Central Command revealed that Iran’s offensive, dubbed “Operation True Promise 4,” has involved dozens of ballistic missiles and suicide drones targeting multiple countries. Saudi Arabia confirmed that while many threats were intercepted over Riyadh and Dhahran, falling debris and direct impacts still posed significant risks to civilians and diplomatic staff.
The US Consulate in Dhahran urged Americans to shelter on the lowest floors of hardened structures, warning that even intercepted missiles can scatter deadly shrapnel across urban areas.
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The conflict has severely disrupted regional travel, with major airports, including Dubai International and Ben Gurion, experiencing total shutdowns or severe delays. The State Department’s worldwide caution highlights that the confrontation has extended beyond Iran and Israel, posing systemic threats to Western interests across the Arab world.
In Beirut, the US Embassy remained closed as Hezbollah declared open hostilities against Israel, further complicating evacuation efforts for thousands of stranded Americans due to airspace closures and suspended ferry services.
The surge in violence follows recent US strikes on Tehran over the weekend, which reportedly killed several high-ranking Iranian officials and destroyed critical command facilities. President Donald Trump, speaking from the White House, signaled that the United States is prepared for a prolonged conflict, dismissing calls for immediate negotiations and stating that it is “too late” for dialogue.
As US embassies closed Iran strikes create a vacuum in regional diplomacy, the immediate priority has shifted to safely evacuating American citizens before commercial and military exit routes are fully cut off. Authorities warn that time is running out for an orderly withdrawal as tensions continue to escalate.
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