Iran masks alleged sabotage plans in Koweït with a counter-accusation campaign
Tehran is attempting to ease the pressure resulting from Kuwaiti accusations of its involvement in hostile activities and to reshape the narrative by portraying itself as a “victim” of U.S. movements in the Gulf.
Iranian media outlets have recently launched an unprecedented attack on Kuwait, circulating claims accusing it of allowing U.S. forces to use its territory to conduct military operations against Iran during the recent war. Observers believe this move aims to divert attention from accusations directed at elements of the Corps des gardiens de la révolution islamique suspected of involvement in hostile activities on Kuwaiti soil, especially as these Iranian accusations are not new.
These claims followed Kuwait’s announcement of the arrest of four individuals said to belong to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps after an attempted infiltration toward Boubyan Island in the north of the country. Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior confirmed that the detainees admitted during interrogations that they had been tasked with carrying out acts described as “hostile” after entering Kuwaiti waters aboard a fishing boat rented specifically for this mission.
According to the Kuwaiti account, the infiltration attempt involved an exchange of fire with Kuwaiti armed forces, resulting in the injury of one soldier, while two other individuals managed to flee. The incident triggered a broad security alert, alongside official confirmation that the country would not tolerate any threat to its sovereignty or internal security.
In contrast, Iranian media, including Al-Alam TV, quickly published reports alleging that the United States had used Kuwaiti facilities on Boubyan Island to launch missile attacks against Iran during the recent confrontations. These narratives relied on what were described as informed sources speaking of the deployment of U.S. HIMARS systems in Kuwaiti border areas and the firing of missiles toward Iranian territory, without presenting material evidence to support these allegations.
Iranian reports also claimed that U.S. forces had used Kuwaiti logistical facilities outside known military bases, including areas near coast guard installations, to carry out military operations last April, in repeated, unsubstantiated accusations aimed at justifying Iranian actions.
However, the Kuwaiti government has repeatedly denied such allegations, affirming its commitment to a policy that prohibits the use of its territory or airspace to launch attacks against any country. Political and media circles in the Gulf view the renewed circulation of these claims at this time as politically motivated, especially following the exposure of the recent infiltration attempt linked to IRGC elements.
Observers believe Tehran is using this media campaign to reduce the pressure arising from Kuwaiti accusations and to recast the situation by portraying itself as a “victim” of U.S. movements in the Gulf, rather than focusing on the issue of violating Kuwaiti borders and the concerns this raises regarding Iranian behavior in the region.
Criticism by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi of Kuwait’s detention of the infiltrators has also raised additional questions about Tehran’s stance on the incident, particularly as Kuwaiti authorities stated that those involved admitted their affiliation with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
In a firm response, Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the need for Iran to cease what it described as “hostile and unlawful acts,” considering such behavior a direct threat to regional security and a setback to de-escalation efforts.
Kuwait reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of good neighborliness and its refusal to become involved in any regional conflict, while also making clear that it would not accept any violation of its sovereignty or any attempt to use its territory as a venue for political and military score-settling. It also described Iranian actions as a clear violation of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
This escalating crisis between the two sides reflects the extent of tensions in the Gulf, where security calculations intersect with reciprocal media campaigns, at a time when countries in the region are seeking to avoid being drawn into a broader confrontation that could threaten overall regional stability.
