Kuwait temporarily closed its airspace on Thursday, citing Iranian aggressions, after its air defense systems intercepted hostile aerial targets launched by Iran in retaliation for a fresh round of U.S. military strikes on Iranian territory.

Key Highlights

  • Airspace closed: Kuwait's civil aviation authority temporarily shut the country's airspace, diverting all flights to alternative airports under emergency procedures. Kuwait Airways suspended all flights.
  • 24 drones intercepted: Kuwait's military reported engaging 24 hostile drones in its airspace over 48 hours, with the Kuwait Army confirming "limited material damage without any human casualties."
  • Iranian strikes hit Kuwait bases: Iran's IRGC said it targeted Kuwait's Ali Al Salem and Ahmad Al-Jaber air bases as part of retaliatory strikes on 18 U.S. military facilities across the Gulf region.
  • Regional alerts: Bahrain activated missile alert sirens, Jordan intercepted 20 Iranian missiles fired toward a base hosting U.S. troops, and Israel warned of incoming fire from Lebanon.

Kuwait temporarily closed its airspace on Thursday morning and activated air defense systems against incoming Iranian projectiles, marking one of the most direct impacts on Gulf civilian aviation infrastructure since the U.S.-Iran conflict began in late February 2026.

Kuwait's civil aviation authority cited "Iranian aggressions" in its closure announcement, stating that all flights would be diverted to alternative airports in line with approved emergency procedures. Kuwait Airways suspended all of its flights. The closure lasted several hours before operations resumed, with the Kuwait Army subsequently reporting that its air defense systems had engaged and neutralised 24 hostile drones in Kuwaiti airspace over the preceding 48 hours. The military said the Iranian aggression resulted in "limited material damage without any human casualties."

The strikes on Kuwait were part of a wider Iranian retaliatory campaign in response to the second consecutive day of U.S. airstrikes against Iranian military infrastructure. Iran's IRGC said it struck 18 targets across the Gulf region, including U.S. facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. In Kuwait, the IRGC specifically claimed strikes on Ali Al Salem and Ahmad Al-Jaber air bases, both of which host U.S. military personnel.

Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters, sounded its missile alert sirens and said its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed multiple incoming Iranian aerial threats. Bahrain's Interior Ministry reported that an 11-year-old girl was injured and residential property was damaged by debris from intercepted projectiles.

Jordan reported intercepting 20 Iranian missiles fired toward an area hosting a U.S. military base. No casualties were reported. The U.S. State Department issued an alert urging citizens in Jordan to seek overhead cover and shelter in place following reports of missiles, drones, or rockets entering Jordanian airspace.

Iran launched the retaliatory strikes in response to U.S. Central Command conducting additional self-defense strikes against multiple Iranian targets, which the U.S. military described as a response to Iran's "unwarranted and continued aggression." The strikes targeted Iranian surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defense sites.