On Thursday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) accused Iran of significant ceasefire violations by launching ballistic missiles into Kuwait and sending “five unidirectional strike drones” that threaten the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding areas.
CENTCOM noted that the Kuwaiti military “successfully intercepted” the ballistic missiles, while all drones were intercepted by U.S. military forces.
Furthermore, American troops managed to prevent a sixth drone launch originating from Iran’s ground control base located in Bandar Abbas.
The statement emphasized that “U.S. Central Command and our regional partners remain vigilant and prudent as we continue to protect our forces and interests from Iran’s unwarranted aggression.”
Iran, on the other hand, stated that their actions were a response to recent “self-defense” attacks on Iranian missile sites, as described by the Pentagon.
Reports from Iranian state media indicated that the ballistic missile launched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) was aimed at a U.S. air base involved in these self-defense operations.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserted that the attack was a “blatant violation of its sovereignty and security,” expressing strong condemnation of Iran’s actions and labeling it a “dangerous escalation.”
Neighboring countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) shared similar sentiments, denouncing the Iranian attack.
The UAE Foreign Ministry declared these terrorist actions a gross infringement on Kuwait’s sovereignty, voicing full support for “all measures aimed at safeguarding Kuwait’s security and stability.”
All GCC member states, including Kuwait, are united in their concerns. The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, condemned Iran’s ongoing attacks on Kuwait in the strongest terms.
Al-Budawi’s office remarked that such aggressive actions breach international law, the United Nations Charter, and the principles of good neighborliness. He offered complete support for Kuwait in all efforts to maintain security and stability. Despite outward declarations of solidarity, the responses from these Sunni Arab states during the ongoing crisis with Iran have often felt inadequate.
U.S. officials explained that the attacks on Iranian control bases were about maintaining a ceasefire and were deemed a “purely defensive” action, citing threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Bakkai rebuked the U.S. actions as a ceasefire breach, asserting that Iran would “take all necessary measures to protect national sovereignty.”
