A drone strike blamed on Iran has hit Kuwait International Airport, killing one person and injuring 63 others, in a major escalation of hostilities between Tehran and US forces in the Gulf region.
The attack, which targeted a passenger terminal on Wednesday, is among the most serious violations of the fragile ceasefire reached on April 8 following weeks of conflict triggered by US and Israeli military operations against Iran.
Kuwaiti authorities condemned the incident as a “criminal act of Iranian aggression,” while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards accused US forces of provoking the confrontation through strikes on a tanker and a communications facility on Qeshm Island.
Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry said the attack struck vital civilian infrastructure, resulting in casualties and significant disruption. Airport sources identified the deceased as an Indian national.
Health Ministry spokesman Abdullah Al-Sanad disclosed that 25 ambulances were deployed to the scene, with 63 people receiving treatment for injuries ranging from head trauma and amputations to blast-related wounds and cerebral hemorrhages.
The attack forced the temporary suspension of air traffic at Kuwait International Airport, with incoming flights diverted to alternative destinations. Flight operations later resumed after security assessments.
Residents living near the airport described a night of intense explosions and fear. Hassan Sheikh, a Pakistani resident of Kuwait, said the incident brought the reality of the conflict closer to home.
“For the first time, my children understood how serious the situation was. This was unlike anything we had experienced before,” he said.
The crisis has also drawn reactions from neighbouring Gulf states. Bahrain reported intercepting Iranian missiles and drones overnight, while the United Arab Emirates called for a unified regional response against what it described as repeated Iranian aggression.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards denied targeting civilian infrastructure, insisting their intended target was the Ali Al Salem Air Base, a military facility in Kuwait that hosts US assets.
Meanwhile, Iran’s military leadership warned that any further attacks would be met with a stronger response. Senior military adviser Mohsen Rezaei vowed that “every attack will be met with a deluge of missiles and drones.”
The US military, through Central Command (CENTCOM), said it successfully intercepted several Iranian missiles and drones aimed at Kuwait and Bahrain. According to CENTCOM, some missiles failed to reach their targets, while others were neutralised by air defence systems.
The latest escalation comes amid diplomatic efforts in Washington involving US, Israeli and Lebanese officials seeking to end the parallel conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Hezbollah remains the primary obstacle to a broader agreement, while Hezbollah officials have rejected any proposal for a limited ceasefire.
As military operations continue across the region, concerns are growing that renewed violence could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts and further destabilise the Middle East.
