Kuwait suspends flights following Iranian missile and drone strikes on airport terminal that injure several people

Iranian drones and missiles targeted Kuwait and Bahrain on Tuesday leading US CENTCOM to hit Iranian military ground control locations while attempting to counter incoming munitions.

Passengers arrive at Kuwait International Airport, June 1, 2026; illustrative.

(photo credit: Yasser al-Zayyat/AFP via Getty Images)

ByJAMES GENN, GOLDIE KATZ

JUNE 3, 2026 00:14

Updated: JUNE 3, 2026 11:38

Kuwait's Civil Aviation Authority halted all flights and redirected aircraft from Kuwait International Airport after Iranian missiles and drones struck Terminal 1, injuring multiple people and inflicting structural harm, according to Kuwaiti state media on Wednesday morning.

A Kuwaiti Defense Ministry spokesperson noted that enemy drones struck the airport's Terminal 1 resulting in substantial material damage and injuries to several individuals who received prompt medical attention.

Technical teams continue to evaluate the extent of the damage, Kuwait's official KUNA reported.

US strikes Iranian missile sites after regime attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain, CENTCOM confirms

This comes after the US hit an Iranian military ground control site and countered several Iranian missile and drone assaults directed at Kuwait and Bahrain on Tuesday, as confirmed by US Central Command.

CENTCOM characterized the strikes on the Qeshm Island control center as self-defense measures taken after American forces downed three Iranian one-way attack drones targeting vessels in regional waters.

In response Iran fired multiple missiles toward Bahrain and Kuwait. Three were intercepted by US and Bahrain air defenses while two aimed at Kuwait fell short of their targets.

Bahrain's military stated it intercepted three missiles and several drones via an official post on X. Bahrain's statement did not reference US participation.

Shortly afterward Iran sent another wave of drones to strike US forces in Kuwait. CENTCOM reported successfully downing several drones with no harm to US personnel or assets.

US disables tanker headed toward Iranian port

Earlier on Tuesday the US disabled an empty oil tanker trying to reach an Iranian port by firing a missile into the ship's engine after the crew ignored directions in the Persian Gulf.

According to CENTCOM US forces issued repeated warnings to the crew of the Botswana-flagged vessel over 24 hours as it headed toward Iran's Kharg Island.

To prevent the tanker from arriving in Iran a US aircraft launched a missile into the vessel's engine room disabling it.

In a statement on X CENTCOM noted this marks the sixth commercial vessel disabled by US forces since the blockade of Iranian ports along the Strait of Hormuz began on April 13.

Iran claims Kuwait and Bahrain responsible for US attacks and vows self-defense

Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned on Wednesday what it called US attacks on an Iranian oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz and a telecommunications tower on Qeshm Island claiming they breached a ceasefire understanding and international law.

The ministry asserted that Kuwait and Bahrain hold direct responsibility for the attacks alleging their territory supported US military operations against Iran.

Tehran reserved the right to self-defense and indicated it would employ all available means to respond including targeting sources of future attacks.

CENTCOM enforces US blockade on Strait of Hormuz

On Friday CENTCOM took similar action against a Gambia-flagged vessel in the Gulf of Oman attempting to reach an Iranian port.

In that case over 20 warnings were issued to the vessel's crew before the ship was disabled with a Hellfire missile.

CENTCOM has also recently struck Iranian targets along the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for Iran's downing of a US drone over international waters.

On Monday CENTCOM announced strikes on Iranian radar sites and drone command and control sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island. American forces also destroyed two one-way attack drones threatening vessels in nearby waters.

Reuters contributed to this story.