Adedokun Waliyu 
An Iranian drone strike on a passenger terminal at Kuwait International Airport killed one person and injured 63 others as tensions between Iran and the United States escalated in the Gulf region.
The attack was one of the most serious challenges to the fragile ceasefire that has largely held since April 8, following more than a month of conflict triggered by attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel.
Kuwait’s military described the strike as an act of “criminal Iranian aggression.” Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, however, accused US forces of provoking the attacks by striking a tanker and a communications tower on Iran’s Qeshm Island.
Kuwait’s foreign ministry condemned the attack, saying it targeted vital civilian infrastructure and resulted in casualties. An airport official reported that the person killed was an Indian national.
Health officials stated that 25 ambulances were deployed to the scene and that 63 injured people received treatment for various serious injuries, including head wounds, cerebral hemorrhages, amputations, and blast-related injuries.
Following the attack, Kuwait temporarily suspended air traffic and diverted incoming flights to other destinations. Air operations later resumed.
‘Not Normal’
Residents living near the airport reported hearing explosions throughout the night. Many expressed concern about the worsening security situation, with some saying their families were experiencing the reality of the conflict for the first time.
Bahrain also reported overnight drone attacks allegedly launched from Iran. In response, the United Arab Emirates called for a united Gulf position against Tehran, arguing that attacks on one Gulf nation threatened the security of all.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards denied targeting the civilian airport, claiming instead that they had struck Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, which hosts military helicopters. They also accused Kuwait and Bahrain of assisting US military operations.
Iranian military adviser Mohsen Rezaei warned that any attack against Iran would be met with a large-scale missile and drone response.
Missile Interceptions
The US military stated that it had successfully defended against several Iranian missile and drone attacks aimed at Kuwait and Bahrain and confirmed carrying out strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island.
According to US officials, two missiles fired toward Kuwait either fell short or broke apart before reaching their target, while three missiles aimed at Bahrain were intercepted by American and Bahraini air defence systems.
Bahrain also announced that it had intercepted several drones in addition to the missiles.
Lebanon Conflict Adds To Tensions
The escalation came as US, Israeli, and Lebanese officials held talks in Washington aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Hezbollah remained the main obstacle to a ceasefire agreement. However, Hezbollah rejected the idea of a limited ceasefire and insisted it would not accept a partial arrangement.
Iran has repeatedly linked the conflict involving Hezbollah to the wider confrontation between Iran, Israel, and the United States. Tehran warned that continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon could jeopardize the ceasefire with Washington.
In recent days, Israeli forces have conducted deeper military operations inside Lebanon. Lebanese officials reported that an Israeli strike near Beirut killed six people, while Israel said it intercepted an aircraft that entered its territory from Lebanon.
Israeli authorities have warned that they will target Beirut’s southern suburbs if Hezbollah launches attacks against northern Israeli communities. Hezbollah has not claimed responsibility for any recent attacks on northern Israel.
