Kuwait Says It Foiled Iranian Revolutionary Guards Landing on Strategic Bubiyan Island

Kuwait today (Tuesday) accused Iran of sending an armed Revolutionary Guards cell to infiltrate its territory and carry out "hostile actions" on Bubiyan Island, a strategic island in the northwestern corner of the Persian Gulf, near Iraq and Iran.

According to Kuwaiti authorities, six armed members of the Revolutionary Guards tried to enter the island on May 1. Kuwait's security forces say they thwarted the attempt, arresting four suspects while two others managed to escape. One Kuwaiti security officer was injured during the confrontation.

Kuwait said the team planned to carry out "hostile actions" but did not specify the target or what exactly was intended on the island. The incident was first disclosed on May 3, but at the time authorities did not provide details on who was involved or any possible link to Iran.

Kuwait later revealed the identities of the detainees, which it says include two captains in the Revolutionary Guards' navy, a lieutenant in the Guards' navy, and a lieutenant in the organization's ground forces.

Iran has not responded immediately to the accusations. Kuwait's announcement comes at a particularly sensitive moment, as the region continues to deal with the fallout of the latest fighting and a fragile cease-fire.

In the background, U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to travel to Beijing for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the Iran issue likely to be central to the talks. China is considered a major buyer of Iranian oil under sanctions, and it was hurt by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a move that led to a global energy crisis.

Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee confirmed that Israel transferred Iron Dome interceptor batteries and crews to operate them to the United Arab Emirates, to help defend the country during the war.