US-Israel-Iran war: Iran claims to have targeted US embassy in Dubai and CIA station in Saudi Arabia; Trump says US will provide security to oil tankers passing through Strait of Hormuz
Today is the fifth day of the US-Israel-Iran war. Iran claims to have targeted the US embassy in Dubai. Israel has bombed Tehran, the capital of Iran, and Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that approximately 650 US soldiers were killed or injured in retaliatory attacks in the first two days. However, the US has not accepted these figures.
US President Trump said on Tuesday night that he ordered the US military to attack Iran in collaboration with Israel because Iran was going to attack first.
The US has closed embassies in three countries and warned Americans to leave the region.
The United Arab Emirates said it opened safe air corridors with its neighbors as countries rush to evacuate stranded nationals, with regional travel paralyzed.
CIA station in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh targeted
Saudi Arabia has stated that it will take all necessary steps to ensure its security and that of its residents.
The Saudi Press Agency, quoting the Saudi Cabinet, said in a statement that Saudi Arabia stands with its allies in responding to potential attacks from Iran and is ready to use all its capabilities to assist them if necessary.
This statement comes after a drone attack on Monday reportedly targeted a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) station located at the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh.
According to the news agency Reuters, both the US and Saudi Arabia have confirmed that two drones hit the embassy compound. However, it is unclear whether the CIA was the target.
Reports said that the attack caused a portion of the embassy's roof to collapse, filling the premises with smoke.
Embassy staff have been instructed to remain in safe areas for the time being.
US will provide security to oil tankers passing through Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump has said that the US Navy will soon provide security to oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz if necessary.
Due to the ongoing war between the US, Israel, and Iran, shipping through this sea route has virtually come to a halt. This route is located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
This is one of the most important routes for the world's oil and gas supply. Approximately 20 million barrels of oil pass through this route every day.
Trump also said that he has directed a federal agency to provide "political risk insurance and guarantees" for maritime trade in the Gulf region.
Israel is again striking Iran and Lebanon, as US assets in the Middle East come under fire.
The war has disrupted global travel, stranded foreign nationals, and spiked global commodity prices.