US orders mandatory evacuation of embassy staff in Saudi Arabia amid Iranian missile strikes

Riyadh: The US State Department has issued an urgent order for non-emergency government employees and their families to evacuate Saudi Arabia immediately. The move comes as regional tensions escalate into a direct conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States, marked by a series of retaliatory drone and missile strikes across the Middle East.

On Sunday, March 8, 2026, Washington shifted its stance from "permitted" to "ordered" departure for diplomatic staff. The official travel advisory cited "safety risks" and the high probability of further strikes on Western interests.

Read the full advisory HERE

While the U.S. has not yet issued a total ban on travel, Americans are being urged to reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia as the security situation remains volatile.

Al-Kharj attack: Casualties reported

The evacuation order follows a deadly incident in the Al-Kharj province, south of Riyadh. Saudi Civil Defense confirmed that a projectile, allegedly fired by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), hit a residential compound.

Two foreign nationals were killed, 12 individuals were wounded and are receiving medical treatment.

The origins of "Operation Epic Fury"

The current conflict, dubbed Operation Epic Fury by the US military, was ignited on February 28, 2026. A massive joint strike by the U.S. and Israel resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran.

In response, Iran has launched hundreds of drones and missiles targeting US Embassies, military bases, energy infrastructure across the Gulf.