GCC condemns Iranian strikes on Kuwait as war crimes amid Gulf escalation

The Gulf Cooperation Council has issued a formal condemnation of Iranian military actions against civilian sites in neighbouring states, explicitly describing the attacks as war crimes. The diplomatic rebuke follows a period of intensifying hostilities in the region, with tensions over the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz driving a cycle of retaliatory strikes between Iran and the United States.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi delivered the statement as the conflict expanded beyond bilateral exchanges. The council’s position aligns with accusations from Kuwait, which reported that Tehran targeted vital national infrastructure. The condemnation covers attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, marking a unified regional stance against what member states view as violations of international humanitarian law.

In Kuwait, the impact of the Iranian strikes has been felt across critical utility sectors. The Kuwait fire service confirmed that fires erupted at two separate locations following the reported attacks, including a combined power and water desalination plant. These facilities are essential for the nation’s infrastructure, and their disruption highlights the broader economic and social risks posed by the escalation.

Further complicating the situation, the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation confirmed that repeated Iranian attacks struck one of its oil facilities. The incident resulted in injuries to workers, underscoring the direct threat to industrial operations and personnel safety. The Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Ministry subsequently verified that several power lines were affected, adding to the strain on the country’s energy grid.

Concurrently, US Central Command reported the conclusion of a seventh consecutive night of operations targeting Iranian military assets. The overnight campaigns focused on surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities. The sustained nature of these strikes indicates a continued American effort to degrade Iran’s military infrastructure while Iranian forces direct their own attacks toward Gulf state territory.

The exchange of fire has left the exact extent of the damage to Kuwait’s water supply and the total number of casualties unclear. While local authorities have confirmed injuries and infrastructure failure, comprehensive assessments of the long-term impact on the desalination plant’s operations remain pending. The situation continues to evolve as diplomatic efforts and military operations proceed in parallel.