The Washington Post: A CIA headquarters in Riyadh was attacked by an Iranian drone
A Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) station of the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia has been attacked by a suspected Iranian drone.
The Washington Post revealed on Tuesday that Monday’s attack wasn’t clear the extent of its full damage, and there were no reports of injuries to intelligence agency employees.
According to sources who told the Washington Post, the attack was considered a symbolic victory for Iran, which is targeting US interests in the region.
The US and Saudi governments confirmed that two drones struck the US embassy compound in Riyadh, without revealing that the US intelligence center was affected by the attack.
The US State Department issued an internal alert that noted that the attack led to the collapse of part of the embassy’s roof and smoke contaminated the interior, adding that the building was structurally damaged and that employees were still sheltering in place, according to the Washington Post.
“Although the attack represents a minor setback to the agency’s presence in Saudi Arabia, it carries symbolic connotations of an Iranian government that sees the US agency as its historical enemy, especially given Washington’s covert support for the 1953 coup that toppled Iran’s elected prime minister.
The loss of the station is a disturbance but can be overcome, former CIA experts said, noting that there are alternatives and strong relationships with local actors, which could facilitate the agency’s continued work in the region.
The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced at dawn on Tuesday that the US embassy in Riyadh was attacked by two drones, which resulted in a limited fire and material damage.
“The US embassy in Riyadh was attacked by two drones according to initial estimates, resulting in limited fire and minor material damage to the building,” the Saudi Ministry of Defense said in a statement, without announcing any casualties.
