U.S. officials stated on Tuesday that a suspected Iranian drone targeted the parking lot of the U.S. consulate in Dubai, sparking a fire that sent plumes of black smoke ascending into the air.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that all personnel were accounted for after the strike, which took place amidst a flurry of missile and drone attacks Iran has launched in recent days in response to a large-scale U.S.-Israeli military operation that resulted in casualties.
“Regrettably, a drone struck a parking lot adjacent to the chancery building and ignited a fire there,” Rubio told reporters on Tuesday afternoon. He mentioned that the U.S. had been reducing its personnel to a bare minimum level due to the escalating retaliatory strikes from Iran.
“So, obviously, we’ve been very fortunate, but our embassies and diplomatic facilities are under direct assault from a terrorist regime,” Rubio added.
The Dubai government’s Media Office announced on social media that the fire stemming from a “drone-related incident” near the consulate had been “successfully contained” and provided further updates. The office reported that no injuries had been reported.
Iran intensifies attacks on Gulf countries
Earlier on Tuesday, another suspected Iranian drone attack hit the U.S. embassy in Riyadh. Amid the ongoing conflict, the State Department has indefinitely closed embassies in Saudi Arabia, [and Lebanon], closed at least one consulate, and urged Americans to immediately depart 14 Middle Eastern countries “due to serious safety risks,” as the conflict has closed airspace across the region and left travelers stranded.
Since the conflict began early on Saturday, six American service members have lost their lives. Iranian state media has reported that Iran’s death toll has reached at least 780. TIME is unable to independently verify these figures.
Assistant Secretary of State Mora Namdar stated on Monday that Secretary Rubio and the State Department “urge Americans to DEPART NOW” from countries including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, the UAE, and Qatar “using available commercial transportation, due to serious safety risks.”
Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson also wrote that the State Department “is actively securing military aircraft and charter flights for American citizens who wish to leave the Middle East” and is in contact with at least 3,000 Americans abroad. During Tuesday’s press conference, Rubio said that 9,000 Americans had left the Middle East since the start of the conflict.
However, Democrat Sen. Andy Kim stated that his office “is receiving panicked calls from Americans stuck in the Middle East, outraged that our government has provided zero evacuation support.”
“Warnings to citizens to evacuate three days into this war when airspace is closed is a clear sign of ZERO strategy and planning by the Trump administration,” Kim said in another statement.