KUWAIT CITY — Kuwait on Wednesday declared two Iranian diplomats persona non grata following Iranian drone and ballistic missile attacks on Kuwaiti territory that left one person dead and dozens injured.
In a statement, Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry said it summoned the acting chargé d’affaires of the Iranian Embassy and handed him an official protest note, which also included a decision to reduce the embassy’s diplomatic staff.
The ministry said the two Iranian diplomats declared persona non grata must leave Kuwait within 24 hours.
Expressing strong condemnation of the attacks, the ministry reaffirmed Kuwait’s full and inherent right to defend itself and to take all necessary measures to preserve its sovereignty and safeguard its security.
Earlier Wednesday, Kuwaiti authorities said Iranian strikes killed one person, injured 63 others and damaged key facilities, including diplomatic missions.
The Foreign Ministry said the attacks represented a serious violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty and stressed that the country reserves the full right to respond.
Regional tensions have remained high since late February after the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, killing more than 3,000 people, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several senior military commanders and government officials.
A Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect on April 8, but efforts to secure a broader and lasting agreement have so far failed.
Source: Saudi Gazette