The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed one death and several injuries as a result of an attack described as Iranian on Kuwait International Airport. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation reported significant damage to the terminal building from drone and missile strikes, prompting immediate activation of the emergency plan. All flights were suspended, and some were diverted to alternate airports to ensure passenger and staff safety.
Kuwaiti diplomacy said the country "will not tolerate and will not be lenient" toward repeated aggression, and the military is coordinating with relevant bodies to take necessary measures to protect the state's security. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense published photos and videos of the destruction inside the airport and warned citizens not to approach debris, shrapnel, or unidentified objects left after interception.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had repelled multiple waves of Iranian attacks on regional countries, and that Iranian ballistic missiles and drones did not reach their targets. In response to strikes attributed to Tehran, U.S. forces carried out precision strikes on an Iranian military ground command post on Qeshm Island. CENTCOM specified that two rockets launched toward Kuwait fell or broke up before reaching their targets, and that U.S. and Bahraini air defenses intercepted missiles aimed at Bahrain.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it attacked "an American base in the region" and the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain with missiles and drones in response to what it called a U.S. strike on a communications tower on Qeshm Island, which CENTCOM categorically denies. In a statement the Guards warned: "Our response will be different if we are subjected to aggression, and it must serve as a lesson for the enemy," and also threatened that "destabilizing the strait will come at a high cost to the American military." They also reported a strike on the vessel Panaya, which they described as belonging to the "Zionist‑American enemy," in response to an attack on an Iranian oil tanker.
In Kuwait and Bahrain, air defense systems were repelling missile and drone attacks, accompanied by sirens and calls for the public to "remain calm and move to the nearest safe place." Reporters described explosions caused by missile interceptions, and Kuwaiti military officials explained that all sounds were related to the operation of defense systems. In Bahrain, local media confirmed the destruction of Iranian missiles and drones in the skies over the kingdom.
This is already the third attack on Kuwait in the past week: earlier, the military repelled similar attacks on Monday and Thursday. The Kuwaiti Cabinet again condemned the strikes, demanding that Iran "immediately and unconditionally cease" and placing full responsibility on it, warning that corresponding measures would be taken to ensure security. Meanwhile, U.S. reports indicate minor injuries to several U.S. service members and civilian contractors from a rocket strike on Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, although CENTCOM emphasized that all interceptions did not result in casualties among U.S. forces during other attacks.
Comments on the News
- What is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and how does its role differ from Iran’s regular army? – The IRGC is an elite military-political formation created after the 1979 revolution to protect the Islamic system. Unlike the regular army (Artesh), which focuses on guarding the country's borders, the IRGC carries out tasks related to ideological protection of the regime, conducts overseas operations (through the Quds Force), controls a significant portion of the economy, and influences domestic politics. The Artesh is subordinate to the Ministry of Defense, while the IRGC reports directly to the Supreme Leader.
- Why does the IRGC’s mention of the "strait" raise particular concern, and which strait is meant? – In Iranian military-political discourse, "the strait" almost always refers to the Strait of Hormuz — a strategic waterway through which about 20% of the world's oil trade passes. IRGC threats to close this strait in response to external pressure are seen as a direct danger to global energy markets, which would immediately prompt oil price increases and fears of military escalation.
- What does the term "Zionist‑American enemy" mean in Iran’s rhetoric and what historical or political contexts does it reference? – This term denotes the perceived alliance of Israel and the United States as a single hostile force that, according to Iranian authorities, seeks to undermine the Islamic Republic, control the Middle East, and destroy Palestinian statehood. It stems from the anti‑imperialist rhetoric of the 1979 revolution (including the U.S. embassy seizure) and from Iran’s nonrecognition of Israel as a legitimate state, emphasizing that both countries are seen as allies pursuing common interests through sanctions, military pressure, and support for Iran’s regional adversaries.
Full version: قتيل بهجوم إيراني يستهدف مطار الكويت وأضرار بمنشآت دبلوماسية