Kuwait said its armed forces intercepted several ballistic missiles and drones over residential areas early on Saturday, blaming Iran for the attacks and warning that the incident marked a serious escalation in regional tensions.
The defense ministry said air defense systems successfully engaged seven missiles along with multiple drones inside Kuwaiti airspace, adding that falling debris caused material damage in different parts of the country but no casualties were reported.
Authorities temporarily suspended air traffic for two hours as a precautionary measure. The Public Authority for Civil Aviation said 11 flights operated by Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways were diverted to nearby airports before normal operations resumed later in the morning.
Defense Ministry spokesman Col. Saud Al-Atwan described the strikes as “criminal aggression” and said the armed forces remained fully prepared to protect the country’s security and vital facilities.
The foreign ministry strongly condemned the attacks, calling them a violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty and international law. It warned that continued escalation risked deepening instability across the Gulf at a time when diplomatic efforts are focused on preventing a wider conflict.
Emergency teams responded to several incidents linked to debris from interception operations, including fires and security-related calls. Officials urged residents not to approach suspicious objects and to report any dangerous materials immediately.
The developments came as the United States approved a proposed $1.98 billion defense deal with Kuwait involving counter-drone systems supplied by US company Anduril. Washington said the agreement would strengthen the security of a key regional ally and support stability in the Middle East.
Elsewhere in the Gulf, Bahrain also reported intercepting missiles and drones, with authorities saying air defense systems remained on high alert amid continuing regional tensions.
