US embassy staff leaving Saudi Arabia over Iranian attack fears

The United States has ordered its embassy staff and their families in Saudi Arabia to leave the country immediately amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.

The US State Department issued a notice in this regard on Sunday. The notice said that the order was issued due to the increased security risk due to the recent series of missile and drone attacks by Iran.

According to the notice, US embassy staff and their families working in Saudi Arabia have been asked to return to the country as soon as possible. In addition, ordinary US citizens have been urged to reconsider their decision to visit Saudi Arabia.

The US State Department said that before traveling to Saudi Arabia, citizens should consider the potential for Iranian drone and missile attacks, attacks on US facilities, armed conflict, terrorist risks, travel bans and restrictions on social media.

Tehran and Washington held 21 days of talks on Iran's nuclear program from February 6 to February 27. However, the talks ended without any agreement.

The next day, on February 28, the US military launched Operation Epic Fury in Iran. At the same time, Israel launched its own operation in Iran, Operation Roaring Lion.

In response, Iran has been launching drone and missile attacks targeting US military bases in Israel and various countries in the Middle East. In the past week, there have also been reports of several attacks on US bases, embassies and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Source: Al Jazeera