KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait, July 18 (ANI): Kuwait came under a barrage of Iranian missile strikes on Saturday as hostilities between the United States and Iran escalated sharply, forcing the immediate suspension of all flight operations and damaging key components of the country’s power grid and water desalination infrastructure.
Air raid sirens sounded repeatedly across Kuwait beginning early Saturday, prompting authorities to urge residents to seek shelter and remain indoors as missiles launched from Iran entered Kuwaiti airspace.
Detailing the offensive, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed its forces targeted the Arifjan Ground Forces Support Center in Kuwait, alleging that the strike killed several U.S. troops stationed at the facility during the 18th phase of its “Operation Nasr 2.”
The IRGC also claimed it carried out a drone strike that disabled the radar installation at the U.S. Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.
In addition, Iranian state media reported IRGC claims that its naval forces launched drones and missiles at the U.S. Navy’s fuel support pier at Kuwait’s Al Ahmadi Port.
The IRGC further claimed it struck and destroyed a U.S. signaling and communications hub in Kuwait.
The claims have not been independently verified.
The attacks caused immediate disruption to international air travel. According to Al Jazeera, Kuwait Airways suspended all flight operations at Kuwait International Airport after authorities closed the country’s airspace.
The national carrier confirmed that all inbound and outbound flights at Kuwait’s primary airport were suspended because of the rapidly deteriorating regional security situation.
The suspension followed an earlier announcement by Kuwait Airways that it had comprehensively rescheduled flights as a precaution against the escalating conflict.
The missile strikes also affected Kuwait’s utility infrastructure. According to Al Jazeera, the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy said a fire broke out at one section of a power generation and water desalination plant following the latest Iranian attacks.
“This necessitated precautionary operational measures, consisting of disconnecting a number of generating units to preserve the safety of the plant and its workers and to ensure the stability of the electrical grid,” the ministry said in a statement.
To reduce the impact of the damage and prevent widespread service disruptions, the ministry said it immediately activated emergency response plans.
“The Ministry confirms that all operational and emergency plans were activated immediately upon the occurrence of the incident, ensuring the continuity and stability of both the electricity and water networks and limiting any potential impact on service, with technical and operational monitoring continuing around the clock,” the statement added. (ANI)
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