The US diplomatic mission staff in Saudi Arabia has been ordered to leave the country, current and former officials said, reports The New York Times.

The respective order from the US State Department is reportedly the first such step in the ongoing war with Iran. The statement comes more than a week after the US and Israel began carrying out strikes on Iranian territory.

On March 3, the Saudi defense ministry reported that the US embassy in Riyadh was attacked by two drones, causing a small fire. The US closed its embassy after the attack.

US citizens in several cities in Saudi Arabia were ordered to remain where they are and take shelter.

Saudi Arabia said it shot down another drone targeting the US embassy compound.

According to the report, US diplomats in Saudi Arabia have requested to be ordered to leave the country. Other US embassies, including those in Israel, have told their non-commissioned personnel and their families that they can leave the country if they wish.