Cecilia Ley

Drones hit the U.S.

consulate in Dubai yesterday, and The Washington Post reported a suspected drone attack on the CIA station at the U.S.

embassy in Saudi Arabia.

Neither appeared to leave casualties.

But the strikes have forced embassies to close indefinitely, leading to a frantic rush to exit the region.

Yesterday, the State Department said that more than 9,000 Americans had been evacuated so far.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration's case for the war faces growing scrutiny.

On Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had suggested the U.S.

preemptively attacked Iran in anticipation of a unilateral Israeli strike.

But yesterday, he attempted to downplay those comments, saying that it was Trump's call, independent of any potential Israeli action.

Senators had a closed-door briefing with White House officials on Tuesday.

Democrat Chris Murphy emerged from the briefing frustrated with what he'd heard.

Trump officials told reporters yesterday that there has been no contact, direct or back-channel, with the regime since the strikes began.

While the fighting is currently contained in the Gulf and Middle East, the economic consequences of the war are starting to feel global.

Stocks have dipped in recent days as oil prices have climbed.

Trump conceded as much at the White House yesterday.

A major driver of concern for traders is the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage that connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.

Evan Halper, business reporter with The Washington Post, explained why it was such an important route.

A prolonged stoppage would send the energy prices through the roof for consumers.

Whether or not that happens hinges on how long the fighting continues.