The Kuwaiti Government’s Recent Approach Toward Iran
Rather than addressing its hosting of U.S. military bases that were used to launch attacks on Iranian territory, the Kuwaiti government has adopted what Tehran describes as an unfriendly approach. It has not only denied consular access to four detained Iranian nationals but has also shut down the Iranian school in Kuwait.
“Closure of the Iranian School in Kuwait” was the news reported last week. According to the report, Kuwait’s education minister ordered the school’s license revoked and asked parents to transfer their children to other schools.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei described the move on Monday, August 10, during his weekly press conference, in response to a question from Fars News Agency, as “another strange action by the Kuwaiti government.” He added that retaliating against the most innocent members of society who use the school for their education “is in no way justifiable.” He noted that the school has a long history, has operated for decades without any problems, and that the decision appears to be political.
Baghaei also said that the Iranian Embassy in Kuwait is following up on the matter and expressed hope that the issue would be resolved.
Four Iranian Nationals Detained and Denied Consular Access
The Kuwaiti government also detained four Iranian citizens some time ago.
In a statement issued on May 12, Iran’s Foreign Ministry rejected as baseless and unfounded claims made in statements by Kuwait’s foreign and interior ministries alleging that Iran had been planning hostile actions against Kuwait.
Iran said it strongly condemned what it described as the Kuwaiti government’s improper political and propagandistic exploitation of the case involving four Iranian personnel who were carrying out their routine maritime patrol duties and had entered Kuwaiti territorial waters because of a disruption in their navigation system.
The following day, May 13, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also protested the Kuwaiti government’s action. In a post on X, he wrote:
“In an obvious attempt to create division and tension, Kuwait has illegally attacked an Iranian vessel in the Persian Gulf and detained four of our nationals. This illegal action took place near an island that the United States was using to launch attacks against Iran. We demand the immediate release of our nationals and reserve the right to respond.”
“Move Quickly to Facilitate the Release of the Iranian Nationals”
On May 18, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei described the Kuwaiti government’s action as unacceptable and improper during his weekly press conference.
He said: “Attacking an Iranian border-guard vessel in one way or another and then making accusations against it is in no way compatible with the principle of good neighborliness. We expect the Kuwaiti side to quickly facilitate the release of the Iranian citizens and not fall into the clichés promoted particularly over the past two or three months by certain parties that attach no value whatsoever to security and good relations among neighboring countries.”
On June 23, the senior Iranian diplomat said that, unfortunately, Kuwaiti officials had evaded their obligations under international treaties.
He said: “This government is obligated to grant consular access to these Iranian citizens. Our embassy has been continuously following up on the matter, and Kuwait’s disregard for its obligations is unacceptable to us. We hope they will reconsider their position as soon as possible.”
Despite the passage of two months since the detention of the four individuals, Baghaei said that the Kuwaiti government had still not allowed consular access to them. He described the move as a disregard for Kuwait’s legal and international obligations and expressed hope that the Kuwaiti government would reconsider its position and facilitate their release as soon as possible.
Avoiding Actions That Do Not Help Repair Relations
The Kuwaiti government has adopted these positions toward Iran even though, according to Iranian officials, Tehran has consistently adhered to the principle of good neighborliness. At the same time, Kuwaiti territory hosts U.S. forces and military facilities, including a base that was used in attacks against Iran.
In this regard, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged during a congressional hearing on June 2 that several Gulf states had cooperated with the United States against Iran.
“Our allies in the region have shown a very high degree of cooperation,” Rubio said. “Some of them, including the United Arab Emirates, have been extremely active and serious in their cooperation. Kuwait has also performed exceptionally well.”
During this period, the Islamic Republic of Iran, invoking the principle of self-defense, also targeted U.S. bases in Gulf countries with missile and drone attacks, including Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.
Iran’s most recent defensive attacks took place in June of this year following repeated U.S. attacks on parts of Iranian territory, including areas in the south.
In this regard, Baghaei said on Monday: “Our expectation from regional countries, including Kuwait, is that instead of shifting blame, they refrain from making their territory and facilities available for illegal and aggressive U.S. actions against Iran. This is not an excessive demand. It is an expectation based on the principle of good neighborliness and consistent with Kuwait’s obligations under international law. They should refrain from actions that in no way contribute to repairing relations.”
Earlier, on July 13, Baghaei had also stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s defensive strikes were directed solely at bases, facilities, and positions being used by the United States to attack Iran, including their logistical and support facilities.
He noted: “We have repeatedly asked and urged the countries of the region, based on their obligations under international law, not to allow the United States and the Zionist regime to use their territory, facilities, and land to plan, prepare, and carry out acts of aggression against Iran. This is a standing request, based both on the principle of good neighborliness and on accepted principles of international law. Any country whose territory or facilities are used to attack Iran will be subject to Iran’s defensive measures.”
Iran has previously sent several letters of protest to the United Nations Security Council.
In separate letters sent last February and March to the UN secretary-general and the president of the Security Council, Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, emphasized Iran’s inherent right to self-defense following moves by the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to make their territory and airspace available for attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Extinguishing Kuwait’s Burning Oil Wells
On July 21, Esmail Baghaei also posted a photograph on X showing Iranian specialists in Kuwait in 1991 who had traveled to the country to help extinguish fires at Kuwait’s oil wells.
He wrote:
“Although only three years had passed since the end of Saddam’s imposed war against Iran, and the deep wounds caused by Kuwait’s and other Gulf Cooperation Council members’ comprehensive support for Saddam’s aggressor regime were still fresh, Iran, at the request of the Kuwaiti government, sent a 47-member team of oil industry specialists to participate in the operation to extinguish the fires. The team was tasked with containing fires at 28 oil wells in the massive Burgan field.
“The event has been recorded in international documents and reports as part of one of the largest oil-well firefighting operations in history.
“Noble Iranians, you extinguished the fire that had engulfed Kuwait, and now you have become part of the fire of the demons, turned against our people.”