Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense reported that air defenses intercepted a wave of Iranian ballistic missiles and hostile drones targeting military sites along with oil, electricity and water installations early on July 18. Colonel Saud Al-Atwan, the ministry spokesman, said the threats were detected in Kuwaiti airspace and neutralized, though the strikes sparked fires and caused extensive material damage. Several firefighters and oil sector workers sustained injuries while battling the resulting blazes and were transported for treatment where they remained under medical supervision. Fragments from the intercepted projectiles fell in residential areas, leading to property damage but no reported fatalities. Al-Atwan added that the armed forces continued to coordinate with government agencies to safeguard national security and stability.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the renewed attacks as part of a systematic campaign against civilian infrastructure that violated international law, the United Nations Charter and Security Council Resolution 2817. That resolution, adopted by the United Nations in March 2026, determined such strikes breached international obligations and posed a serious threat to regional peace after earlier incidents. The ministry held Iran fully responsible for the aggression and its consequences while demanding an immediate cessation. It reaffirmed Kuwait’s right to take all necessary measures in self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. Officials warned that continued escalation endangered broader stability and ongoing diplomatic efforts.
The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation stated that one of its critical oil facilities suffered repeated strikes, resulting in major losses and prompting site evacuation alongside coordination with emergency responders. Kuwait Fire Force teams, supported by oil sector units, the armed forces and the National Guard, controlled two separate blazes in South Kuwait after deploying multiple firefighting groups to the scenes. Brigadier General Mohammad Al-Gharib, the force spokesman, detailed how five teams handled the first incident and three teams managed the second until both fires were extinguished. Several firefighters and one civilian employee were injured during the operations. The force confirmed that all injured personnel received prompt medical attention.
Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr. Subaih Al-Mukhaizeem inspected the affected desalination and power plants to evaluate damage and oversee restoration work that followed a six-hour firefighting effort. The minister praised the coordinated response by technical teams, engineers and firefighters while directing continued repairs until the units returned to full service under stringent safety standards. The ministry said it was deploying all available resources to sustain electricity and water supplies with minimal disruption to consumers. Separately, Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi led an emergency session at the crisis center to verify hospital readiness, ambulance capacity and medical supply reserves across the system. Al-Awadhi stressed the need for ongoing monitoring and inter-agency coordination to maintain rapid response capabilities.
Kuwait Airways reported that it had rescheduled most flights after temporary suspension of operations at the international airport due to the security developments. The carrier advised travelers to monitor updates via text messages and to contact its customer service lines for assistance, including local number 171 or international options. The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait issued guidance urging its nationals to remain vigilant, follow instructions from local authorities and avoid unverified information sources. Embassy officials recommended limiting nonessential travel while keeping communication devices charged and maintaining contact with family. The mission provided multiple emergency hotline numbers and stated it would continue monitoring the situation for further advisories.
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed solidarity with Kuwait and condemned the Iranian strikes as clear violations of sovereignty that threatened regional security. GCC Secretary General Jassem Al-Budaiwi and Arab League Secretary General Nabil Fahmy issued parallel statements criticizing the actions as breaches of the UN Charter that fueled instability across the Gulf. These reactions built on a pattern of Iranian strikes against energy infrastructure in several neighboring states that have occurred since late February. Government reports from affected countries have documented repeated incidents involving refineries, gas plants and ports.
The incidents formed part of a wider conflict that began with strikes on Iran on Feb. 28 and has increasingly centered on control of the Strait of Hormuz, which an international shipping tracker said carried a fifth of global crude oil before crossings fell to a three-week low. Iranian state television reported at least 50 people killed and more than 500 wounded in U.S. strikes over the past three weeks, while U.S. officials confirmed additional injuries among American service members. The U.S. Central Command described its own operations as targeting military logistics and maritime capabilities in the area. Iran suspended commitments under a recent interim deal with the United States, according to its deputy foreign minister.
