New footage has emerged showing the true extent of the damage inflicted on Kuwait International Airport during an escalation of conflict in the region. The attack occurred early Wednesday local time, resulting in the death of an Indian national and injuries to 63 people.
Official Assessment of Damage
Kuwait's first deputy prime minister, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, visited the airport to "assess the damage caused by the Iranian attack on the terminal." Social media footage from the visit reveals large holes and twisted metal in the airport roof, along with debris and water covering the floor as firefighters begin clearing the site. Saud Al-Sabah stated that technical inspections and comprehensive assessments will be conducted to evaluate the impact on the airport's facilities and infrastructure.
Flight Suspensions and Diplomatic Response
Flights and air traffic in Kuwait have been suspended following the attack, as reported by Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that 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."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in Washington shortly after the attack. Rubio condemned the "outrageous and unacceptable" attack and expressed condolences for the casualties, according to a State Department readout. The readout stated, "The Secretary reiterated the commitment of the United States to Kuwait's security, to ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon, and restoration of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz."
Military Response and Escalation
Kuwait's military reported intercepting 13 Iranian missiles and 17 drones since dawn on Wednesday. The escalation began when the US military used a Hellfire missile to hit a Botswana-flagged oil tanker heading toward an Iranian port on Kharg Island. The ship had not complied with the US blockade of Iranian ports, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). In response, Iran fired missiles at a Liberian-flagged vessel. The situation worsened after the US struck an Iranian military ground control station on Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Iran to fire missiles and drones at Kuwait and Bahrain.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its attacks on Kuwait were in response to the "brazen and blatant aggression" by US forces, claiming to have fired at least 10 ballistic missiles at Kuwait. Following the attack, Kuwait announced the expulsion of two Iranian diplomats, condemning the "flagrant violation" of its territorial integrity and the targeting of civilian infrastructure.
