India, March 4 -- A suspected Iranian drone struck a parking area near the US Consulate in Dubai on Tuesday, triggering a fire that sent thick plumes of black smoke into the sky, officials said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the drone hit a parking lot adjacent to the chancellery building.

"The last update I had, seconds before stepping before these cameras, was that a drone unfortunately struck a parking lot next to the chancellery building and ignited a fire," Rubio said.

He added that all personnel were accounted for and noted that the United States had already begun drawing down diplomatic staff in anticipation of rising tensions.

Dubai's Media Office confirmed that no injuries were reported and that the fire had been ful...