Kuwaiti officials are promising a strong response following a deadly drone and missile assault on the nation’s main airport that left one person dead, multiple people wounded, and caused widespread destruction to airport infrastructure, according to government statements released Wednesday.
The country’s Foreign Ministry denounced what it characterized as attacks by Iran, stating that Kuwait “categorically rejects” these strikes and pointing to Tehran as a source of regional turmoil.
Ministry officials declared the strikes constitute a “flagrant violation” of international law, the UN Charter and UN Security Council Resolution 2817 of 2026.
The ministry emphasized that Kuwait’s security, sovereignty and the safety of its citizens and residents remain a “red line that cannot be crossed,” stating that the ongoing attacks demonstrate a “systematic aggressive approach” that the nation “will neither accept nor tolerate.”
Defense Ministry officials reported that multiple drones hit Terminal 1 at Kuwait International Airport during what they termed Iranian aggression. The ministry confirmed the assault inflicted substantial structural damage to the terminal, left several people injured and claimed one life.
In response to the attack, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation implemented emergency protocols and shut down all airport operations. According to a statement distributed by the state Kuwait News Agency, officials grounded all incoming and outgoing flights while emergency protocols were put in place.
Air traffic was diverted to backup airports while officials evaluated the destruction and examined facility conditions. Officials announced that operations would stay suspended until all required protocols are finished and the airport is confirmed safe for reopening.
Airport personnel reported that Terminal 1, a major passenger facility, suffered extensive structural damage.
The assault occurred after reports of emergency warning sirens during overnight hours in both Bahrain and Kuwait, approximately one hour following a U.S. announcement that it had targeted an unoccupied oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz while the ship was heading to an Iranian port.
The Revolutionary Guards of Iran took responsibility for missile and drone strikes throughout the Gulf region, stating that American military installations were the primary targets. CNN characterized the exchange as the most significant series of attacks in recent weeks while diplomatic talks persist regarding conflict resolution.
Previously, American military officials reported that two Iranian missiles launched toward Kuwait either failed to reach their target or broke apart during flight. They also confirmed that three missiles directed at Bahrain were stopped by combined U.S. and Bahraini defensive forces.
The Revolutionary Guards stated the attacks were in response to an American strike on Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf. American officials have indicated that operation was a response to an Iranian attack.
Reuters had earlier documented explosions on Qeshm Island, though no subsequent reports verified whether any installations there were damaged.
