Russian media sees that US President Donald Trump's policy towards Iran has not only continued political and military pressure but also extended to trying to rally Gulf allies into a united front against Tehran. However, this policy, according to a report published by the "Regnum" agency, has created a state of increasing concern within Kuwait, which has come to feel that it is paying the price of the conflict more than others.
A report reviewed by the "Video News Agency" indicates that Kuwait was not the Gulf country most subjected to Iranian attacks in terms of numbers, as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard asserts that Kuwaiti territories have been subjected to four waves of missile and drone strikes since the beginning of 2026, while Saudi Arabia and the UAE have faced much larger attacks. However, the economic and strategic losses incurred by Kuwait were, according to the report, among the highest in the region.
This is attributed to Kuwait's large economy relying on oil exports, which makes the closure of the Strait of Hormuz directly impact trade and oil revenues. Additionally, the small size of the country and the density of its vital facilities have made the infrastructure, including electricity stations and desalination plants, more susceptible to damage.
The report adds that the widespread deployment of US military bases and facilities within Kuwait has made it a natural target for any Iranian retaliation, as the country hosts military bases, storage facilities, and command centers used by US forces to manage their operations in the Middle East, in addition to being an important logistical hub for US forces and some of its NATO allies.
According to the report, the Kuwaiti leadership found itself in a very difficult position: it could not prevent Washington from using its territory for military operations, nor could it at the same time distance itself from the consequences of the war.
In an attempt to reduce tension, Kuwait sought to launch diplomatic initiatives through Qatar, Pakistan, the European Union, and China to revive a new negotiation track in the Gulf, but these efforts have not received broad responses, amid skepticism about the possibility of reaching a stable agreement given the fluctuating American approach towards Iran.
The report also conveys that the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, expressed in private communications with US officials his fears of escalating threats, demanding the enhancement of air defense systems and the provision of additional interceptor missiles to his country.
However, the United States, according to the report, did not respond to these demands practically, due to the depletion of a large part of its stock of interceptor missiles over the past few months, contenting itself with offering political promises without providing tangible military support.
In contrast, US media reports revealed that the Pentagon is preparing plans for a limited ground operation inside Iran in case conditions deteriorate, which has prompted Tehran to issue direct warnings to Kuwait and other countries that might contribute to any American attack.
The report notes that these developments have made American assistance appear to Kuwaitis as "a friend carrying a gallon of gasoline who came to put out a burning house," indicating that US support has complicated the security situation rather than calming it.
It points out that the state of tension has been reflected internally in Kuwait, where fears of sabotage or espionage have increased, leading to security incidents, including the shooting of fishermen after suspecting them of being Iranian elements, and the arrest of dozens of people on espionage charges before being released for lack of evidence.
Kuwaiti authorities also announced in late July 2026 a voluntary national mobilization to enhance air and naval defense capabilities, offering financial incentives to those wishing to join the armed forces, in a move that reflects growing fears of the potential expansion of war.
The report recalls the memories of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, indicating that the current Kuwaiti leadership is trying to avoid the mistakes of that period by preparing early for any emergency, especially as Iranian threats to target countries providing military facilities to the United States continue.
The report concludes that Kuwait finds itself today caught between the pressures of its alliance with Washington and the risks of Iranian retaliation, while the American security guarantees seem less clear than they were in past decades, which exacerbates the Kuwaiti leadership's concerns about the future of the country's security in the event of an escalation in regional confrontations.