Good morning, all. It’s another morning with missiles and drones flying over the Gulf and smoke taking over the capital after the latest round of attacks targeting the Kingdom.
The most significant development overnight is the drone attack on the US embassy in Riyadh, which resulted in a “limited fire and minor material damage.” The embassy then told American citizens in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dhahran to “shelter in place.” More blasts were heard near the capital’s diplomatic quarter until 3am.
Wait for the US response: A White House correspondent said Trump told her “you’ll find soon what the retaliation will be for the attack on the embassy and the US service members killed.”
This came shortly after the US State Department urged Americans to depart over a dozen countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and Oman, citing “serious safety risks.” But with airspace closed and flights restricted, it may prove difficult for Americans to leave the region.
Speaking of flight restriction: Several Riyadh-bound flights are either in a holding position or on their way back to their origin following the attack on the embassy.
The embassy wasn’t the only facility targeted in the Kingdom over the past 24 hours: Two Iranian drones targeted the Ras Tanura refinery, halting operations after interception debris fell near the facility, causing a fire.
Further from home: The US embassy in Kuwait, too, was struck by drones; Iran officially announced it has closed the Strait of Hormuz; and the US says its “hardest hits are yet to come,” promising that the “next phase will be even more punishing on Iran than it is right now.”
WEATHER-
- Riyadh: 23°C high / 13°C low;
- Jeddah: 28°C high / 19°C low;
- Makkah: 28°C high / 18°C low;
- Dammam: 24°C high / 15°C low.
Watch this space
The UK is preparing to evacuate thousands of Britons from the Gulf via Riyadh, after Iran’s strikes shuttered regional airspace. The UK Foreign Office is coordinating with Saudi authorities for overland evacuations from the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, with possible support from regional airlines. Some 94k Britons have registered for assistance as of yesterday.
IPO — Rukn Alkessay Medical pulls the plug on Nomu IPO: Riyadh-based Rukn Alkessay Medical scrapped its plans to list on the Parallel Market, according to a bourse filing from its financial advisor Estidamah Capital, which framed the withdrawal as a move to safeguard investor interests. The company was looking to raise SAR 30 mn.
Rukn Alkessay’s exit is the first casualty of the current regional geopolitical flare-up, which sent the TASI down 2.2% on Sunday. TASI remained basically unchanged at yesterday’s close (+0.13%).
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The big story abroad
The world’s front pages are all about the widening regional war for the third day running. Two updates are topping headlines this morning:
#1- US President Donald Trump vowed to do “whatever it takes” in Iran, saying that US-Israeli attacks on the country could go on for over a month.
#2- Iran officially closed the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to fire at any ship trying to pass through — effectively halting 20% of the world’s oil supply.
THE HOMETOWN ANGLE- We dive into what this all means for us at home in the news well, below.
Circle your calendar
Interested investors have until Wednesday, 8 April to submit their bids to construct, operate, and maintain a cable car project in Al Safa Park, according to state news agency SPA. The investment contract will have a period of up to 25 years.


