A strike at Kuwait International Airport has left one person dead and several others injured, in what authorities have described as an Iranian drone attack. The incident, which occurred at dawn local time, marks a significant escalation in the Gulf's security crisis, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
The attack targeted a hangar used for commercial maintenance, according to Kuwaiti officials. The deceased was identified as an Egyptian national employed by a ground services company. Three others were wounded, one critically.
Iranian state media has not commented on the attack. However, a shadowy group affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility on Telegram, stating it was a response to "continued aggression against the axis of resistance." The group's authenticity could not be independently verified, but the claim fits a pattern of Tehran's calculated escalation.
The Kuwaiti government convened an emergency session of the Supreme Defence Council. The country's foreign ministry summoned the Iranian chargé d'affaires, delivering a formal protest. Analysts note that Kuwait has maintained a relatively neutral stance in the Gulf's proxy conflicts, making it an unlikely target. This suggests the attack was intended to send a broader message to Gulf states and their Western allies.
Iran's drone programme has become increasingly sophisticated. Tehran has supplied loitering munitions and attack drones to Russia and allied groups in Yemen. The weapon used in Kuwait is believed to be an Iranian-made Shahed-class drone, a model that has been used in strikes across the Middle East.
The attack compounds the already volatile security situation in the Gulf. International oil markets reacted nervously. Brent crude rose by 1.2 per cent in early trading. The United States has reiterated its commitment to defending its partners in the region, but the Biden administration has also sought to avoid a direct military confrontation with Iran.
Kuwaiti authorities have suspended all non-essential flights and introduced enhanced security measures at airports nationwide. The United Nations Secretary General called for restraint, while the Gulf Cooperation Council condemned the strike as a "dangerous escalation."
The incident underscores the limits of deterrence in the Gulf. Despite years of sanctions, Iranian drone capabilities continue to improve. The attack at Kuwait airport may be a prelude to further operations designed to disrupt Gulf stability. Regional capitals must now recalibrate their security assessments. The era of air superiority may be drawing to a close as low-cost drones level the playing field.
