Jeddah US consulate attack
A Saudi security guard monitors movement of vehicles outside the US consulate in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah BILAL QABALAN/AFP/Getty Images

A suspected suicide bomber reportedly carried out an attack near a US diplomatic mission in the port city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. At least two people were hurt in the attack, which took place in the early hours of Monday (4 July).

Following the incident, security was beefed up across the city.

Both the injured men are believed to be diplomatic security guards. They were taken to hospital by emergency services. The area around the US consulate has been under lockdown.

According to the Saudi Gazette news website, the alleged bomber was in a car and heading to a mosque nearby. It is still unclear who was behind the attack as no group has claimed responsibility as yet.

In 2004, a similar militant attack by al-Qaeda militants on the American diplomatic post in Jeddah had claimed nine lives.