Kuwait closes airspace after Iranian missile attack

Kuwait suspended all flight operations and shut its national airspace on Saturday, July 18, 2026, following a major Iranian missile and drone attack targeting U.S. military facilities and civilian infrastructure in the Gulf state. The strikes, part of a sharp escalation in the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, caused significant disruption to aviation and damaged a critical power and water desalination plant.

Air raid sirens sounded across Kuwait in the early hours as authorities urged residents to seek shelter. Kuwait Airways confirmed the suspension of all inbound and outbound flights at Kuwait International Airport, rescheduling most itineraries due to what it termed "hostile missile and drone attacks." The airline cited passenger safety as the priority.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for the strikes, describing them as the 18th phase of "Operation Nasr 2." The IRGC stated its forces targeted Camp Arifjan, a major U.S. logistics base, claiming it caused casualties among U.S. personnel. It also claimed drone strikes on the radar installation at the U.S. Ali Al Salem Air Base, a U.S. Navy fuel support facility at Al Ahmadi Port, and a U.S....