Washington, MINA – The United States has suspended operations at its embassy in Kuwait City, the State Department announced on Thursday, as the region reels from ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran and a wave of retaliatory attacks across the Gulf.
In an official statement, the department confirmed that while no US personnel had been injured, the decision was made with the safety of American citizens as the foremost priority.
The existing travel advisory for Kuwait remains at Level 3 urging citizens to “Reconsider Travel.” The State Department is now advising Americans currently in the country to depart via commercial or other available means if it is safe to do so, and for those unable to leave to shelter in place.
The announcement follows a significant escalation in regional tensions. Since the US and Israel launched their offensive against Iran on February 28, which has reportedly killed over 900 people, including Iran’s Supreme Leader and at least 165 schoolgirls, Iran has responded with drone and missile attacks on US-linked sites in Gulf nations. Over the weekend, a drone strike in Kuwait killed six US service members at a tactical operations center.
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Amid the heightened security situation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a call with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. According to a State Department readout, Rubio conveyed condolences for Kuwaiti soldiers recently killed in attacks and expressed gratitude for Kuwait’s response to what the US terms “threats from Iran.”[]
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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