Kuwait reopened its airspace and resumed normal flight operations on Thursday, 11 June, after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) lifted precautionary restrictions imposed amid a sharp escalation in regional tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Gulf states. The closure had been triggered after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed strikes on 18 US military targets across the Middle East, including airbases in Kuwait and Bahrain.

Airspace Restored, Flights Resume

The DGCA confirmed that air traffic in Kuwaiti airspace had returned to normal following what it described as the resolution of circumstances that prompted the temporary closure. Operations at Kuwait International Airport resumed in accordance with approved flight schedules, with airlines returning to normal service. The authority said it was monitoring developments around the clock in coordination with domestic and international bodies to ensure the highest levels of safety and security.

What Triggered the Closure

Earlier on Thursday, Kuwait had temporarily closed its airspace and diverted flights after the Kuwaiti Army General Staff announced that air defence systems were actively intercepting hostile aerial targets to protect the country's airspace and vital infrastructure. The developments came in the wake of fresh US strikes on Iran, which prompted retaliatory IRGC attacks against American military installations across the region. The IRGC specifically confirmed targeting the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, citing retaliation for earlier US strikes on Qeshm Island and Sirik County in southern Iran.

Kuwait and Bahrain Condemn the Attacks

Kuwait on Wednesday condemned what it described as a renewed attack on its territory, calling it a dangerous escalation threatening civilian lives and critical infrastructure. Kuwait's Foreign Ministry said on X that the strikes constituted a 'flagrant violation' of Kuwait's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, as well as a breach of international law, the UN Charter, and Security Council Resolution 2817. 'The attacks cannot be justified or accepted under any pretext,' the ministry stated. Bahrain's Foreign Ministry similarly condemned the strikes, calling them a threat to the security and stability of the Gulf region, and demanded that Iran halt its attacks, fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and respect freedom of maritime navigation under international law.

A Pattern of Escalation

This is not an isolated incident. On 6 June, both Kuwait and Bahrain had already condemned earlier Iranian attacks on their territories, describing them as a flagrant violation of sovereignty and a dangerous escalation threatening regional stability. The recurrence signals a deepening cycle of US-Iran confrontation being played out across Gulf sovereign territory — a development that carries serious implications for civilian aviation, energy infrastructure, and the broader security architecture of the region. Notably, Iran maintained that its operations targeted exclusively US military facilities, not Kuwaiti or Bahraini state assets, a distinction Kuwait and Bahrain have firmly rejected.

What Happens Next

With airspace restored, the immediate operational crisis has eased, but the underlying tensions remain unresolved. Regional authorities and international aviation bodies are expected to keep contingency protocols on standby. The Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments — remains a focal point, with Bahrain's call for its full reopening underscoring the economic stakes of any prolonged escalation.