US Orders Nonemergency Staff to Leave Saudi Arabia

The U.S. State Department has ordered some diplomats and family members of U.S. government employees to leave its missions in Saudi Arabia, according to Reuters. The reports were published on October 22, 2026.

The order applies to nonemergency staff, according to The Washington Post. The Post and The Guardian reported that the departures came amid attacks by the Houthis, a group based in Yemen.

The United States is also reducing staff at other diplomatic missions beyond Saudi Arabia.

The security concern behind the moves is tied to Iran. The State Department's travel advisory for Saudi Arabia says there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran in 2026. The same advisory says commercial flights are operational from Saudi Arabia.

The department's advisory for the United Arab Emirates says hostilities between the United States and Iran began on February 28, 2026. It also says there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran since the onset of those hostilities.

On October 23, 2026, The New York Times published a report under a headline stating that Iran is in "advanced stages" of planning attacks. The Times also reported on the staff moves.