Attackers using a car today struck the heavily guarded US consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with explosives and machine guns.
After a gun battle inside, three gunmen were killed and two were arrested, Saudi security officials said.
Security sources said the attackers had killed four Saudi guards, but there was no official confirmation of this.
Area residents spoke of seeing Saudi forces enter the consulate shortly before a fierce gunbattle was heard inside.
A short time later, the gunfire stopped.
In Riyadh, the US Embassy spokeswoman said two local staff members were injured, but all American staff were safe.
Saudi security officials said two security guards at the gate of consulate were wounded, one of them seriously, after the attackers opened fire on them before entering the mission.
A Saudi health official said several people were injured and taken to a hospital.
Around 170 people, including foreigners, security forces and militants have been killed in attacks and clashes since the first suicide bombings in Riyadh 18 months ago.
Apart from bomb attacks on foreign targets in Saudi Arabia, gunmen have also shot dead several Americans and Europeans in a campaign to drive foreigners from the birthplace of Islam.
- Agencies