Kuwait's Ministry of Interior announced on 12/5 that its armed forces arrested four individuals accused of attempting to infiltrate its territory by sea.

During the interception, Kuwaiti armed forces and the group of suspects exchanged gunfire, resulting in injuries to a Kuwaiti serviceman. At least two other suspects from the group managed to escape.

"Following interrogation, members of the infiltrating group admitted their affiliation with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)", Kuwait's Ministry of Interior stated. "The suspects claimed they were tasked with landing on Bubiyan island via a fishing boat to carry out hostile actions."

Kuwaiti officials affirmed that the nation's security agencies and military are maintaining a high state of vigilance to counter any threats to national security. The Iranian government and the IRGC have yet to comment on the allegations from their neighbor.

Kuwaiti servicemen conducted live-fire exercises with US marines at Buehring base in 1/2024. *Photo: USMC*.

The infiltration on Bubiyan island occurred amidst growing concerns among Gulf nations about networks linked to Iran. Kuwait has experienced several attacks since the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran escalated in late February.

On the night of 28/3, Kuwaiti military forces detected 14 missiles and 12 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) entering its airspace. Some of these weapons targeted military bases within the country, resulting in injuries to 10 soldiers.

On 31/3, Kuwait accused Iran of deliberately targeting its oil tanker Al Salmi while it was anchored at Dubai port, located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Locations of Iran, Kuwait, and the Strait of Hormuz. *Graphic: Guardian*.

Further reflecting regional tensions, a court in Bahrain today sentenced three individuals to life imprisonment after they were convicted of conspiring with the IRGC against the nation. More than 20 other individuals in Bahrain received prison sentences ranging from 5-10 years on charges of supporting Iran, filming in security-sensitive areas, disseminating prohibited content, or engaging in incitement and violence related to Iranian attacks targeting Bahrain.

Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani commented that the Strait of Hormuz is being utilized "as a weapon" in the ongoing Iran conflict, leading to severe consequences for Gulf nations, particularly economically. He urged Tehran not to perceive the Strait of Hormuz as a tool for exerting pressure or "blackmail" against its regional neighbors.

By Thanh Danh (Sources: Al Jazeera, The National, Reuters)