Early Sunday morning, Kuwait’s command said that the country’s air defense forces successfully repelled attacks by enemy rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles. The army’s General Staff explained that the explosions that were heard were caused by the operation of interception systems. The military urged citizens to follow safety instructions published by the relevant authorities.
In turn, Bahrain’s Ministry of the Interior reported two air-raid siren activations. The kingdom’s defense forces said that their air defenses intercepted several Iranian aerial attacks. The ministry called on residents to remain calm, take shelter in safe places, and monitor official news. It later emerged that a residential building in Muharraq Governorate was damaged, though there were no casualties.
The political response was swift: Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry condemned the Iranian attacks as a blatant violation of sovereignty and a direct threat to security. The ministry stressed that continued aggression undermines efforts to reduce tensions in the region. Oman’s Sultanate also expressed its condemnation, saying it was fully aligned with Kuwait and rejecting any actions that threaten stability. The UAE’s Foreign Ministry joined the criticism, calling the attacks a flagrant violation of Bahrain’s and Kuwait’s sovereignty.
The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassem Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, condemned the “terrorist attacks by Iran” and described them as a clear affront to the sovereignty of the two states. Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry issued a “firm condemnation” and warned that the continuation of such actions puts responsibility for undermining peace on the Iranian regime. Earlier, on Saturday, several Gulf countries had already expressed solidarity with Bahrain, noting that these attacks pose a direct threat to the security and stability of the entire region.
Comments on the news
What are the historical reasons for tension between Iran and Bahrain, especially given Bahrain’s Shiite majority and Iran’s state ideology? - The tension stems from several factors: (1) Historical territorial claims: Iran officially laid claim to Bahrain until 1970, when the Shah renounced them; these claims were based on the period of rule by the Safavids (16th–18th centuries). (2) Ideology of exporting the revolution: After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran proclaimed the doctrine of velayat-e faqih, which encourages support for Shiite communities abroad. Bahrain, where 60–70% of the population is Shiite, is viewed by Tehran as a natural sphere of influence. (3) Attempted coup in 1981: Iranian forces tried to organize a coup in Bahrain through the Iran-backed “Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain.” (4) Sectarian rule: In Bahrain, the Shiite majority is governed by the Sunni Al Khalifa dynasty, which Iran uses to mobilize opposition by inflaming grievances over discrimination.
Why does Oman, after expressing solidarity with Kuwait and Bahrain, traditionally play a mediation role in relations with Iran—unlike other Gulf countries? - Oman occupies a unique position due to several factors: (1) Geographic proximity and history: Oman and Iran have long-standing trade ties and joint management of the Strait of Hormuz. Unlike Saudi Arabia, Oman has never been ideologically hostile toward Tehran. (2) Neutrality: Oman’s foreign policy consciously avoids military blocs (Oman did not join the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen). Sultan Qaboos (until 2020) and the current Sultan Haitham have pursued a course of “quiet diplomacy.” (3) Practical interest: Oman has acted as a mediator in the release of Western hostages in Iran (for example, in 2023) and in negotiations on the nuclear deal, because its economy depends on stable relations with Iran. (4) No support for sanctions: Oman did not back U.S. sanctions against Iran, maintaining bilateral trade, which makes it a trusted intermediary for both sides—unlike Bahrain, which hosts a U.S. Navy base and is hostile to Iran.
Full version: Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain cause material damage