Iran Claims Patriot Missile Failure Caused Terminal Damage
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Wednesday rejected accusations that they directly targeted Kuwait International Airport in an attack that left one person dead and dozens injured.
According to IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebi, an internal review found that the Guards’ Aerospace Force did not fire at the airport passenger terminal. Instead, he claimed the destruction resulted from a malfunction involving American Patriot air defense systems.
Mohebi stated that a Patriot interceptor allegedly failed while attempting to engage incoming missiles and subsequently struck the terminal building. He made the remarks through the Revolutionary Guards’ official communication channels.
The IRGC maintained that its forces had targeted a separate military objective in Kuwait, specifically Ali Al Salem Air Base, which hosts aircraft used by United States forces.
Meanwhile, Kuwaiti authorities reported extensive damage at the airport following what they described as a large-scale attack involving ballistic missiles and drones.
Casualties Reported as Airport Operations Resume
According to Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence, approximately 30 missiles and drones were launched during the incident, causing significant damage to airport facilities. Officials described the attack as a serious act of aggression and confirmed that emergency services responded immediately.
The Kuwaiti Health Ministry reported that 63 people sustained injuries. Medical officials said victims suffered a range of wounds, including head injuries, blast-related trauma, amputations and other serious conditions. Hospitals across the country provided treatment to those affected.
Furthermore, India’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that one Indian citizen was killed during the incident. Officials identified the victim as a traveler and strongly condemned attacks targeting civilian infrastructure. The ministry also urged all parties involved in the conflict to avoid actions that endanger non-combatants and public facilities.
Despite the disruption, Kuwaiti aviation authorities moved quickly to restore operations. Airport management temporarily suspended flights following the attack but later resumed services after conducting safety inspections and emergency assessments.
As a result, Kuwait Airways and other carriers gradually returned to normal schedules later in the day.
The attack marked another security challenge for Kuwait International Airport, which has faced repeated threats during the ongoing regional conflict. Notably, the facility had only fully resumed regular operations on June 1 after previous disruptions linked to escalating tensions across the Gulf region.
Investigations into the incident and the exact cause of the terminal damage remain ongoing.
