Kuwait City: Kuwait was placed on high alert on Thursday after the country reported a new missile and drone attack linked to the ongoing Iran war, raising fears that the fragile ceasefire in the region may be close to collapse.
The Kuwaiti military said its air defence systems intercepted several incoming missiles and drones during the latest attack. Authorities did not immediately confirm the exact targets, but security officials said sensitive military and strategic areas were threatened. No major casualties were reported in the immediate aftermath, though emergency teams remained deployed across key locations.
The latest incident came only hours after the United States launched fresh military strikes on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz. According to US officials, the strikes were carried out against Iranian drone facilities and military infrastructure near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas. Washington claimed the operation was defensive and aimed at preventing attacks on American troops and commercial ships operating in Gulf waters.
US Central Command said American forces shot down four Iranian attack drones and destroyed a ground control station preparing to launch another drone. Iran strongly condemned the strikes and accused the United States of violating the ceasefire that had been in place since April.
Soon after the US operation, Iranian state linked media reported that Tehran had responded by targeting the American airbase believed to be connected to the attacks. Kuwait later confirmed that its airspace and defence systems had come under threat from missiles and drones during the night.
The renewed violence has increased tension across the Gulf region, where several countries host American military facilities. Kuwait has remained one of the most sensitive locations during the conflict because of the presence of major US military bases and logistical centres inside the country.
Since the Iran war began in February 2026, Kuwait has repeatedly faced drone and missile threats. Earlier attacks damaged parts of Kuwait International Airport, disrupted air traffic and caused injuries to civilians and military personnel. In March, a drone strike near Port Shuaiba reportedly killed several American soldiers and injured dozens more. Kuwaiti authorities have also accused Iran backed groups of targeting important national infrastructure during earlier phases of the conflict.
The wider conflict started after large scale strikes by the United States and Israel targeted Iranian military and nuclear related facilities earlier this year. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks across the region, including strikes aimed at US bases and allied countries such as Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Although a ceasefire agreement was announced in April, violations and military exchanges have continued regularly. Gulf countries have repeatedly reported intercepting missiles and drones even after the truce officially began. Analysts say the ceasefire has remained unstable because both Iran and the United States continue military operations while negotiations over security and nuclear issues remain unresolved.
The Strait of Hormuz has become another major point of tension. The narrow waterway is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, carrying a large share of global energy supplies. Shipping traffic has been severely disrupted since the conflict began, leading to concerns about rising fuel prices and global economic instability.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday rejected reports suggesting that Iran and Oman were close to reaching an agreement over the future management of the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting in Washington, Trump said the United States would not allow any country to control international shipping lanes.
The renewed fighting also affected international financial markets. Oil prices climbed sharply after reports of the attacks in Kuwait and the fresh US strikes on Iran. Investors fear that a wider regional escalation could further disrupt energy supplies and international trade routes.
Diplomatic efforts are still continuing behind the scenes. Reports indicate that mediators from Gulf countries and other international partners are attempting to prevent a full breakdown of the ceasefire. However, major disagreements remain between Tehran and Washington over sanctions, Iran’s nuclear programme and regional military activity.
For ordinary people living across the Gulf, the latest attacks have once again revived fear and uncertainty. Air raid sirens, military patrols and emergency alerts have become increasingly common in recent months as the conflict continues to affect daily life throughout the region.
With both sides continuing to exchange threats and military action, fears are growing that the Middle East could once again move closer to a wider and more dangerous regional war.