CIA station in the Middle East struck by Iranian drone

An Iranian drone reportedly hit and caused damage to the United States’ CIA station in the Middle East on Monday.

Two drones struck the United States Embassy compound in Riyadh on Monday, in what officials describe as the latest escalation in a series of Iranian-linked attacks targeting US and Saudi assets in the kingdom.

According to two anonymous sources cited by The Washington Post, at least one of the drones hit the CIA’s station inside the embassy complex.

US and Saudi authorities confirmed that two drones impacted the embassy grounds in the Saudi capital, but stopped short of confirming whether the Central Intelligence Agency’s quarters were specifically targeted.

The CIA station, reportedly located on the top floor of the embassy building and considered the agency’s largest presence in the region, was said to have sustained damage.

The Washington Post reported that no CIA personnel were injured.

However, part of the embassy’s roof is believed to have collapsed, and the building suffered structural damage. The full extent of the damage remains unclear.

The United States Embassy in Riyadh remained closed on Tuesday following the attack.

Officials reiterated a "shelter in place" advisory for US personnel and American citizens in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran, urging them to avoid the embassy and other US government installations until further notice.

The strike comes amid a broader wave of attacks attributed to Iran against US-linked and Saudi infrastructure.

Saudi authorities said they have intercepted multiple drones and cruise missiles over the past few days since the start of the war between the US, Israel, and Iran.

On the same day as the embassy strike, Saudi oil giant Saudi Aramco temporarily shut its Ras Tanura refinery following a reported drone attack. The Ras Tanura facility is one of the largest refineries in the Middle East, with a daily processing capacity of around 550,000 barrels.

Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry said there was no disruption to oil supplies and no confirmed damage to refinery operations. The precautionary shutdown appeared aimed at assessing potential risks rather than responding to confirmed structural harm.

In a statement issued after a cabinet meeting chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi government said the kingdom would support "all measures" taken by countries under Iranian attack.

It added that Saudi Arabia was taking "all necessary measures" to defend its national security and protect its citizens and residents.

Despite the heightened tensions, Saudi airspace remains open. However, several international airlines have cancelled flights to and from the kingdom, citing security concerns.