Iranian drones strike Kuwait airport Terminal 1; dozens injured, flights halted
Synopsis
Kuwait International Airport's Terminal 1 was struck by Iranian drones on 3 June, injuring several and forcing a full suspension of air traffic. The Kuwait Army called it ‘criminal Iranian aggression', marking a sharp regional escalation barely two months after the fragile US-Israel-Iran ceasefire of 8 April.
Key Takeaways
Iranian drones struck Terminal 1 of Kuwait International Airport on 3 June , injuring several people.
Brigadier General Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi confirmed ‘significant material damage' and called it ‘criminal Iranian aggression'.
Kuwait's DGCA suspended all air traffic and diverted flights to a nearby airport.
The strike comes after the 8 April US-Israel-Iran ceasefire that ended 40 days of fighting.
Peace talks in Islamabad on 11-12 April failed to yield an agreement.
Several Iranian drones struck the passenger building (Terminal 1) at Kuwait International Airport on Wednesday, 3 June, injuring a number of people and causing significant damage to the structure, the Kuwait Army said in an official statement. Authorities suspended all air traffic and diverted flights to a nearby airport while emergency teams assessed the damage.
What the Kuwait Army said
In a statement posted on X, the Ministry of Defence's official spokesperson, Brigadier General Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi, said that ‘a number of hostile drones targeted today the passenger building (T1) at Kuwait International Airport as a result of the criminal Iranian aggression, which resulted in significant material damage to the building and injuries to a number of individuals, who received the necessary medical care.'
Al-Otaibi affirmed that the armed forces ‘are monitoring the situation in coordination with the relevant authorities, and they are in a state of complete readiness to deal with any developments, and to take all necessary measures to preserve the security of the country and its stability.'
Airport operations suspended
Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said it activated the emergency plan immediately after the drone strike. DGCA spokesperson Abdullah Al-Rajhi said air traffic was suspended and flights diverted to a nearby airport until further notice, according to reports citing Kuwait News Agency.
The suspension, he added, would remain in effect while authorities assessed the damage and carried out repairs needed to restore operations. The number of injured had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting.
Wider West Asia context
The strike comes amid escalating tensions across West Asia following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February, which reportedly killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military officials. Tehran responded with drone and missile attacks on US and Israeli facilities, regional capitals, and allied forces across the region.
Iran, the United States, and Israel reached a ceasefire on 8 April after 40 days of fighting. A first round of peace talks held in Islamabad on 11-12 April ended without an agreement, though the two sides have reportedly exchanged several proposals since.
What happens next
Kuwaiti authorities have not indicated when Terminal 1 will reopen, with repair timelines tied to ongoing damage assessment. Regional carriers are expected to reroute through alternative Gulf hubs in the interim, while diplomatic channels brace for fresh fallout from what Kuwait has formally characterised as Iranian aggression on its soil.
Point of View
US-aligned, and not a frontline combatant — being targeted suggests either a serious miscalculation or a deliberate widening of Iran's deterrence map. The fact that this occurred while Tehran and Washington were reportedly trading proposals undercuts the credibility of the Islamabad track. Civilian aviation infrastructure becoming a target raises the stakes for every Gulf carrier and reframes the ceasefire as cosmetic rather than substantive.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Kuwait International Airport?
Several Iranian drones struck the passenger building (Terminal 1) of Kuwait International Airport on Wednesday, 3 June, causing significant damage and injuring a number of people. The Kuwait Army officially described the incident as ‘criminal Iranian aggression'.
Are flights operating from Kuwait airport?
No. Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation suspended all air traffic and diverted flights to a nearby airport. Operations will remain halted until damage is assessed and repairs are completed.
Why did Iran reportedly target Kuwait?
No official Iranian justification has been issued. The strike comes amid wider West Asia tensions that escalated after the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February and the fragile ceasefire reached on 8 April.
What is the status of the US-Iran ceasefire?
A ceasefire between Iran, the US, and Israel took effect on 8 April after 40 days of fighting. A round of peace talks in Islamabad on 11-12 April failed to produce an agreement, though both sides have reportedly exchanged further proposals.
How many people were injured in the Kuwait airport attack?
The Kuwait Army said a number of individuals were injured and received medical care, but an exact figure has not been officially released. Authorities are continuing to assess the impact.
