Kuwait intercepted two ballistic missiles and 13 drones launched from Iran on July 8 with no casualties reported, according to the Ministry of Defense. Colonel Saud Al-Otaibi confirmed that national forces maintained full readiness to counter threats. Debris from the interceptions damaged some power lines, yet the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy stated that electricity services continued without interruption. The strikes formed part of a broader retaliation that included actions against vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, NPR reported.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the assault as a clear violation of sovereignty and international law while citing UN Security Council Resolution 2817. The statement expressed full support for Bahrain, which faced similar attacks, and called for de-escalation. Qatar joined the criticism by denouncing the strikes on both countries as breaches that undermine stability, according to official statements. Oman warned that the incidents, including those involving Saudi and Qatari vessels, risked broader disruptions to security, trade and energy flows.
The GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi reaffirmed solidarity among member states following the assaults, a position echoed by the Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy who linked Gulf security to overall Arab interests. Egypt, Jordan and the Arab Parliament Speaker Mohammad Al-Yamahi issued parallel condemnations that urged restraint and respect for international norms. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and the Lebanese Foreign Ministry also denounced the attacks on Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia while stressing compliance with UN resolutions.
European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas condemned the strikes for violating a memorandum of understanding on the Strait of Hormuz and announced upcoming meetings with Gulf counterparts to address the crisis. At the UN Human Rights Council, Kuwait helped secure adoption of a resolution on regional destabilization, with its ambassador highlighting the repeated violations. These reactions underscored a unified diplomatic push against actions that a range of governments described as destabilizing.
President Donald Trump declared the interim ceasefire agreement over and warned Iran of additional strikes that could target civilian infrastructure, Reuters reported. US Central Command detailed American operations against Iranian air-defense systems, radars, boats and other assets in response to attacks on commercial shipping. Oil prices spiked following the exchange, reflecting market concerns over potential disruption in a waterway that carries a substantial share of global energy supplies. Social media users reacted with phrases including “Here we go again” as news of the renewed hostilities spread.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf asserted that the era of bullying had ended, according to state media. Reports from Iranian outlets described explosions in locations such as Bandar Mahshahr, where a Revolutionary Guard member was killed, and Bushehr. The events represent the latest escalation in the conflict that erupted in February 2026 after the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with an interim deal on navigation and nuclear issues now hanging in the balance, Al Jazeera noted.
