Kuwait International Airport was hit in a deadly strike amid a fresh wave of attacks in the Persian Gulf. The United States and Iran exchanged fire on Wednesday in one of the most intense nights of bombings since a ceasefire was declared in April.
Civilian Infrastructure Targeted
The airport was just one piece of Kuwaiti civilian infrastructure that was targeted, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. The person killed at the airport was an Indian national, as were several of the 63 people injured in the blast.
"We offer our deepest condolences to the bereaved family ... We have strongly urged that civilian population and civilian infrastructure must not be targeted," the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said.
Kuwait's Response
Kuwait's own Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the nation "strongly rejects Iran's aggressive attacks which lead to an increased escalation and increased tension as well as undermines the security and stability of the region." The ministry added that the country reserves the right to respond.
Flights and air traffic in Kuwait have been suspended in the wake of the attack, Kuwait news outlet KUNA reported. Footage from inside the airport showed First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahd Yusuf Saud al-Sabah assessing the damage. The video revealed extensive damage to the passenger building at Terminal 1.
Military Interceptions and Diplomatic Actions
Kuwait's military said it intercepted 13 Iranian missiles and 17 drones since dawn on Wednesday. The country expelled two Iranian diplomats following the strikes, condemning the "flagrant violation" of its territorial integrity and the targeting of civilian infrastructure.
Bahrain also reported intercepting three Iranian missiles and multiple drones on Wednesday.
Broader Conflict Escalation
The strikes come as the US hit an Iranian island with a number of military bases on it and also struck an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said it "strongly condemns the aggressive act of the US terrorist army in attacking an Iranian tanker in the Strait of Hormuz and attacking a telecommunications mast on Qeshm Island."
It said the attacks represented a violation of the shaky ceasefire agreement between the two countries as they look to negotiate a broader deal.
Diplomatic Stalemate
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday there had been no progress in talks. "Our communication with the Americans has not been cut off but no progress has been achieved in the negotiations," he said, according to Iranian state TV. Araghchi added, "Returning to negotiations will be conditional upon securing the rights of the Iranian people and bringing an end to the war against Iran, Lebanon and the region."
Araghchi also warned that Israeli attacks in Beirut could jeopardise the ceasefire between Iran and the US. "The result of aggression against Beirut will be the return of war," Araghchi said, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.
