This article was written by Melinda Liu.

-The IDF strikes a building in Tehran where the 88-member Assembly of Experts was meeting to choose Iran’s next supreme leader. No injuries or death have been reported yet, but Iranian media stated that the building was “flattened.”

-The US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is hit by two drones. There are no reported injuries or deaths, and the embassy was reportedly empty in the early morning hours when the strike took place. The embassy issued a notice for US citizens in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran to avoid the embassy until further notice.

Vehicles driving down the street in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter following the drone strike. Source: Reuters. 

–Oil prices continue to climb, with the price of Brent crude oil having increased 15% in the past week, to $80 a barrel. Global gas prices, which many countries rely on, have also doubled. If sustained, both price hikes may result in higher energy bills and gas prices, along with other far-reaching economic disruptions. 

A graph showing the market summary of Brent oil in the past five days. Source: Google Finance.

-The US Department of State urges US citizens in several Gulf nations, along with Israel, Gaza, and the occupied West Bank to immediately depart in the face of escalating violence.

–Many US embassies and consulates have suspended services or are operating with limited staff. Additionally, airports in Dubai, Ahu Dhabi, and Doha have all been directly hit by strikes, making it increasingly difficult for US citizens to evacuate. State Department officials have stated that they are working to obtain aircraft to evacuate US citizens and are in contact with more than 3,000 who wish to leave. 

-The US embassy in Kuwait closes until further notice, citing regional tensions. The announcement came the same day after a plume of smoke was seen rising over the US embassy in Kuwait City.

Smoke rises after a strike on the US embassy in Kuwait. Source: The Washington Post.

–In Washington, Republicans had hoped to use Trump’s military action in Iran to pressure Democrats to give in and fund the Department of Homeland Security. However, Democrats have rejected the notion and continue to seek to rein in immigration and customs authorities.

-The late supreme leader’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, is elected supreme leader, Iran International states, citing “informed sources.” The New York Times has also reported that Mojtaba Khamenei is the leading choice to succeed his father.

Mojtaba Khamenei in Tehran, May 31st, 2019. Source: Britannica.