Kuwait announced Tuesday it arrested four “infiltrators” who allegedly confessed to belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and attempting to enter Bubiyan Island by sea to carry out “hostile acts,” according to government statements.
Kuwait’s ministries of defense and foreign affairs said the group clashed with Kuwaiti Armed Forces on May 1, wounding two of the “infiltrators” and one Kuwaiti service member.
During an interrogation, the group allegedly confessed to belonging to the IRGC and “confessed to being tasked with infiltrating Bubiyan Island aboard a fishing boat that had been specially chartered to carry out hostile acts against Kuwait,” the defense ministry said, according to a translation.
The foreign affairs ministry “emphasizes the State of Kuwait’s demand that the Islamic Republic of Iran immediately and unconditionally cease its unlawful hostile acts that threaten the security and stability of the region and undermine regional and international efforts aimed at de-escalation,” according to its statement.
It added that Kuwait “reserves its full and inherent right to self-defense in accordance with Article (51) of the United Nations Charter, and to take such measures as it deems appropriate to defend its sovereignty and protect its people and residents on its territories, in accordance with international law.”
Bubiyan Island hosts Mubarak Al Kabeer Port, which is being built as part of China’s “Belt and Road” initiative, according to The Associated Press.
Tuesday’s allegation brought by Kuwait comes as President Donald Trump is expected to visit Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week.
The Associated Press contributed to this post.
