Kuwait Airport Attack Sparks Blame Game As Iran Denies Role, US Calls Drone Strike ‘Deliberate’

A deadly attack on Kuwait International Airport has triggered a diplomatic row between Iran, Kuwait and the United States, with Tehran denying responsibility for a drone strike that killed an Indian national and injured dozens, while Washington insists the attack was carried out by Iranian forces.

The strike hit a passenger terminal at Kuwait's main airport on Wednesday, causing extensive damage and temporarily disrupting operations. The incident has heightened concerns over regional security as tensions continue between Iran and the US despite ongoing ceasefire efforts.

Iran Rejects Allegations Over Airport Strike

Kuwaiti authorities have blamed Iran for the attack, saying hostile drones targeted the airport terminal and caused casualties and significant destruction. An Indian citizen was among those killed, while 63 people, including airport workers and passengers, were injured.

However, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) denied involvement.

According to statements cited by multiple reports, the IRGC said its forces did not target the airport. Iranian officials further claimed that the damage may have been caused by a US-made interceptor missile that failed to hit its intended target, though no evidence was provided to support the assertion.

False Flag / Staging Operation Failed:
🔹 The IRGCs drone strike occurred at midnight (under complete darkness), yet the alleged footage shows clear, bright daylight conditions with visible shadows and full sunlight.

IRGC stated earlier the attack on airport is due to failure… pic.twitter.com/uiX8X4GQtY

— Iran In Hyderabad (@IraninHyderabad) June 4, 2026

The denial came as Kuwait condemned the incident and moved to expel two Iranian diplomats, signalling a sharp deterioration in relations between the two countries.

US Dismisses Iranian Explanation

The United States quickly rejected Iran's account of events.

In a post on X, US Central Command said Iranian drones carried out a "deliberate, calculated and unjustified attack" on Kuwait International Airport. CENTCOM also described Iran's explanation as "false," directly contradicting Tehran's claim that the destruction was caused by a malfunctioning interceptor missile.

🚫CLAIM: Iran claimed today that it did not attack the passenger terminal at Kuwait International Airport and damage was instead caused by a U.S. missile interceptor. Totally FALSE.

✅TRUTH: Iran struck the civilian airport with drones in a deliberate, calculated, and… pic.twitter.com/OVrzeDibQl

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 3, 2026

The attack took place amid renewed military exchanges between Iran and the United States across the Gulf region, further complicating already fragile diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing a broader conflict.

Footage Released by Kuwait Adds to Scrutiny

As the dispute over responsibility intensified, Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation released footage showing drones striking the airport terminal from different directions.

The video appears to show a triangular, delta-wing aircraft crashing into the building before a powerful explosion. According to the Associated Press, the drone's design resembled Iranian-made Shahed drones that have previously been used in combat operations.

Authorities also released images from the aftermath, including a photograph of a Kuwaiti soldier carrying what appeared to be an aircraft engine component reportedly consistent with those used in Iranian drones.

Airport Reopens Partially After Deadly Attack

The strike came only days after the passenger terminal had resumed operations following a month-long closure linked to the regional conflict.

Despite the damage, Kuwait later reopened part of the airport, with Kuwait Airways resuming flights from an alternative terminal. Most other flight operations remained suspended as authorities continued damage assessments and security reviews.

The incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of civilian infrastructure in the Gulf as rival claims from Tehran and Washington continue to fuel uncertainty over what exactly happened at Kuwait's busiest airport.