Embassy of the United States, Riyadh

The Embassy of the United States, Riyadh is the embassy of the United States located in the capital city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia is of importance due to a confluence of economic, strategic, and geopolitical factors. Central to this bond are energy interests, with Saudi Arabia being one of the world's leading oil producers and exporters.

History
Diplomatic relations between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were officially established on February 14, 1940, after the United States recognized the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd and its Dependencies on May 1, 1931. The first envoy, Bert Fish, presented his credentials as U.S. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to King Abdulaziz in 1940 while being resident in Cairo, Egypt.

A U.S. Legation was opened in Jeddah on May 1, 1942, with James S. Moose, Jr. serving as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim. On March 18, 1949, the Legation was elevated to an Embassy as J. Rives Childs presented his credentials as the first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

In 1984, amid the urban development of the Kingdom's capital, the U.S. Embassy was relocated from Jeddah to Riyadh, with the Jeddah mission becoming a Consulate General.