Newsletters
An Iranian Shahed drone struck the United States Consulate in Dubai on Tuesday, igniting a fire that sent a column of smoke rising above the diplomatic compound, as Tehran's retaliatory campaign across the Gulf expanded to directly target American government facilities in the United Arab Emirates.
The US consulate in Dubai is on fire after it was struck by a suspected Iranian drone, according to a source in the region. Iran's Tasnim news agency reported a column of smoke rising above the compound, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for the attack.
Videos circulating on social media and Telegram channels appeared to show flames engulfing at least one entrance building within the consulate compound. There was no immediate confirmation of casualties.
The strike on the Dubai consulate represents the latest and most dramatic escalation in Iran's retaliatory offensive against American diplomatic and military installations across the Middle East. It followed an attack from two drones on the US Embassy in Riyadh that caused a limited fire and minor damage, according to Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry, as well as an attack on the US Embassy in Kuwait, which announced Tuesday it had been closed indefinitely over regional tensions.
The IRGC also said its naval forces carried out a large-scale drone and missile attack at dawn on the US air base in the Sheikh Isa area of Bahrain, claiming it destroyed the base's main command headquarters, though without providing evidence.
The wave of attacks prompted Washington to dramatically scale back its diplomatic presence across the region. Mora Namdar, the assistant secretary of state for consular affairs, issued a statement calling on Americans to "DEPART NOW" from Israel, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Oman, Syria, Yemen and Jordan. The US State Department on Tuesday ordered nonemergency personnel to leave Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Iraq as a precaution.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
12 min read
