Kuwait Arrests Four Alleged IRGC Members
Kuwait on Tuesday detained four individuals suspected of being part of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). They are accused of attempting to invade Bubiyan Island, a strategically important Kuwaiti territory close to major shipping routes and oil fields, where a port funded by China is currently under construction.
Bubiyan, the largest island in Kuwaiti territory located in the northern Persian Gulf and near the Iraq border, is mostly uninhabited at this time. However, that could change significantly with the ongoing construction of the Mubarak Al Kabir Port. This major development is backed by Chinese investment as part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The ambitious $4.1 billion port is expected to become a key hub for container shipping, which would notably enhance Kuwait’s trade profile while also boosting China’s economic influence in the area. Additionally, it may facilitate shipments from Iraq and Iran to the Red Sea trade route.
Construction began in 2014, and there are hopes that the port will be operational by the end of 2026. The Mubarak Al Kabir project is an integral part of Kuwait’s vision for 2035, which aims to reduce the country’s dependency on oil revenues.
According to Kuwait’s Interior Ministry, on May 1, a fishing boat was chartered to carry out aggressive actions against Kuwait. This boat was spotted near Bubiyan with six Iranians on board, five of whom were suspected IRGC members, while the sixth was the captain.
The IRGC is an elite military force in Iran known for its strict loyalty to the theocratic regime. It has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union due to its operations aimed at destabilizing other nations in the Middle East.
The Interior Ministry indicated that there was an exchange of gunfire between Kuwaiti troops and the Iranian military units on Bubiyan Island. Four Iranians were captured; however, two others managed to escape. One Kuwaiti soldier sustained injuries during the incident.
The detained individuals were identified as Colonel Amir Hussein Abd Mohamed Zarai, Colonel Abdulsamad Yadara Kanwati, Captain Ahmed Jamshid Gholam Reza Zulfiqari, and Lieutenant Mohamed Hussein Sehrab Faroghhi Rad.
The two that escaped were named as IRGC naval captain Mansour Qambari and fishing boat captain Abdulali Kazem Shiamali.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Iranian actions as a blatant infringement on Kuwaiti sovereignty and a serious violation of international law.
They urged Iran to halt its unlawful hostilities, which pose threats to both regional security and stability, and to respect efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions.
Further reports indicated that neighboring countries like Jordan, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates promptly condemned the attacks as well. Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially protested by summoning Iran’s ambassador regarding the incursion at Bubiyan Island.
In response, Iranian officials dismissed Kuwait’s allegations as groundless, reacting with both hostility and irony. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi suggested that Kuwait was attempting to unlawfully attack Iranian vessels and create discord.
He claimed, “This illegal activity occurred near the island used by the U.S. to engage Iran.”
The U.S. military has a small temporary base on Bubiyan Island, where personnel were relocated following an Iranian attack on a logistical base in Kuwait. Iran has also claimed responsibility for a missile and drone attack on this camp back in April.
In a separate statement, Iran’s foreign ministry accused Kuwait of exploiting the issue of Iranian prisoners of war for political gains. They claimed that those detained were merely performing a standard maritime patrol mission when they mistakenly entered Kuwaiti waters due to navigation errors and demanded their immediate release.
