Iranian strikes in Kuwait kill 1, injure 63 as shaky ceasefire with U.S. is tested further

Iran carried out missile and drone strikes on Kuwait on Wednesday, killing one person and injuring 63 in attacks that included a strike on Kuwait International Airport. Kuwaiti officials reported significant damage to Terminal 1, with all flights suspended temporarily. The country’s military intercepted 13 missiles and 17 drones since dawn, while Kuwait expelled two Iranian diplomats, condemning the violation of its sovereignty. The U.S. Central Command stated Iran launched several ballistic missiles toward regional neighbors, though all attacks failed to hit targets. Two missiles aimed at Kuwait fell short or broke apart, while three missiles targeting Bahrain were intercepted by U.S. and Bahraini air defenses. Earlier, the U.S. shot down Iranian drones near the Strait of Hormuz and struck Iran’s Qeshm Island. The escalation strains ongoing ceasefire talks between Iran and the U.S., with President Donald Trump claiming negotiations remain active despite Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denying progress. Araghchi tied any return to talks to securing Iranian rights and ending regional conflicts, warning Israeli strikes in Beirut could reignite hostilities. Trump suggested the U.S. blockade on Iran might end before Labor Day and hinted at a potential military alternative if diplomacy fails. Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry affirmed its right to defend itself, emphasizing the need to preserve its sovereignty after the attacks. Videos showed fires and destruction at the airport, with debris and smoke visible as emergency responders managed the aftermath. The strikes mark the latest in a series of military exchanges between Washington and Tehran, complicating efforts to stabilize the region.