Kuwait urges diplomacy, backs Gulf navigation security

hartono · Jul 8, 2026

Kuwait urges diplomacy, backs Gulf navigation security

President Director of ANTARA News Agency Benny Siga Butarbutar (center, in brown batik) meets with the Ambassador of Kuwait to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN, Khalid Jassim Al-Yassin (right), at the ANTARA Heritage Center in Pasar Baru, Jakarta, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (ANTARA/Uyu Septiyati Liman)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Kuwait reaffirmed its commitment to resolving regional tensions through diplomacy, urging dialogue and respect for international law amid the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, its ambassador said on Tuesday.

Ambassador Khalid Jassim Al-Yassin said during a visit to ANTARA Heritage Center in Jakarta that Kuwait had informed Iran from the outset that it would remain neutral.

"We are remaining neutral. We are not allowing our territories or airspace to be used to attack any neighboring countries," Al-Yassin said.

Despite its neutrality, he said Iran launched attacks affecting Kuwaiti territory and civilian infrastructure, including desalination plants, power facilities, oil refineries and airports.

He said the attacks significantly disrupted daily life in Kuwait.

"For a small country like Kuwait, with an area of about 17,000 square kilometers, this caused major disruption to normal life," Al-Yassin said.

Kuwait continues to urge all parties to prioritize dialogue over violence to resolve the conflict, he said.

The country has also called on all parties to comply with international law, international humanitarian law and the United Nations Charter.

Kuwait welcomed the ceasefire between the United States and Iran and encouraged Pakistan and Qatar to continue mediation efforts toward a lasting settlement, Al-Yassin said.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as Kuwait's only maritime route in the Gulf and an international waterway protected by international law.

Al-Yassin added that the U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution 2817 (S/RES/2817(2026)) on March 11, which he said condemned Iran's attacks on Arab Gulf states.