Riyadh: The U.S. government has issued an order for non-emergency government employees to leave Saudi Arabia as the conflict involving Iran continues to expand across the Middle East. The situation has resulted in oil prices surging above $110 per barrel and has led to a significant market sell-off in Asia.

According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the U.S. embassy in Riyadh highlighted increased risks stemming from armed conflict, terrorism, and missile and drone attacks originating from Yemen and Iran. This directive marks the first time Washington has issued such a departure order in Saudi Arabia since the onset of the war.