Kuwait summons Iranian ambassador over missile, drone attacks

By Mohammad Sio

ISTANBUL (AA) - Kuwait summoned the Iranian ambassador on Saturday over Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks targeting the country, including Kuwait International Airport, the Foreign Ministry said.

In a statement posted on the US social media company X, the ministry said it summoned Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Toutounchi, conveying Kuwait’s “strong condemnation and denunciation of criminal Iranian attacks” that violated Kuwait’s sovereignty and airspace, as well as the UN Charter and international law.

The ministry said the attacks, particularly those targeting Kuwait International Airport, “categorically and explicitly contradict international humanitarian law,” which prohibits targeting civilian facilities and endangering civilians.

Kuwait reiterated its “full and inherent right” to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter in response to “blatant aggression,” in a manner proportionate to the scale and nature of the attack and consistent with international law.

It added that Kuwait would take all necessary measures to protect its territory, its people and residents, stressing that the security and stability of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are indivisible, and that any infringement on the sovereignty of a member state constitutes a direct threat to collective security.

Earlier, a drone targeted Kuwait International Airport, causing minor injuries to several workers and limited material damage at Terminal 1 amid the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran, according to the Kuwaiti Civil Aviation Authority.

The incident came as five Arab countries hosting US military bases - Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan - reported explosions and missile interceptions Saturday amid continued Israeli and US attacks on Iran.

On Saturday morning, the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, claiming it was meant to remove “threats” posed by the "Iranian regime.” In response, Iran targeted Israel and the US bases in the region with missiles and drones.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday that Iran’s strikes on US military bases in the Middle East “do not target specific countries but are limited to military sites.”