Food and water supply stable; Institutions, including KU, KFF, discuss emergency plans
VIENNA/KUWAIT: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries on Monday issued a strong call for de-escalation and restraint as military tensions continue to rise in the region following direct US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and Tehran’s retaliation with missile and drone attacks on the Zionist entity.
Speaking on behalf of the GCC ambassadors accredited to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Kuwaiti Ambassador Talal Al-Fassam stressed the need to halt the regional escalation immediately. “The recent developments are of great concern and pose a direct threat to security and stability in the region and the world,” he warned during an emergency session of the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna. The IAEA’s emergency meeting was called to assess the security and radiation risks following the attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Al-Fassam emphasized that the targeting of Iran’s nuclear facilities carries potentially catastrophic consequences. “Calm and restraint represent the most effective path to avoid further tension,” he said, reiterating the Gulf countries’ support for diplomacy and dialogue as means of resolving conflicts. He urged the international community, particularly the IAEA’s Board of Governors, to take its responsibility seriously and act to address longstanding regional issues. “These issues have become a growing threat to regional and international peace and security,” Al-Fassam said.
The GCC envoys reaffirmed their unified stance on resolving disputes peacefully and promoting regional security through cooperation and lessons learned from past crises. They also acknowledged IAEA updates on radiation monitoring and requested continued briefings amid the ongoing conflict.
The GCC’s statements follow a sharp military escalation sparked by US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones against Zionist targets and the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
The Iranian Supreme National Security Council said the missile strike was away from residential areas in Qatar. “This action does not pose any threat to the friendly and brotherly country, Qatar, and its noble people, and the Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to maintaining and continuing warm and historic relations with Qatar,” the council said in a statement.
Qatar said it successfully intercepted the attack, which it condemned as a blatant violation of its sovereignty.
VIENNA: Kuwaiti Ambassador Talal Al-Fassam speaks during an emergency session of the IAEA Board of Governors.
Kuwait Fire Force Chief Major General Talal Al-Roumi meets UAE emergency management chief Ali Al-Neyadi to explore ways of boosting cooperation in disaster and crisis response.
Local preparations
Earlier Monday, Iran’s top military official, Abdolrahim Mousavi, accused the US of directly entering the war and warned that Iran would not hesitate to attack American interests. “We will never back down,” he said in a statement Monday morning.
As regional tensions rise, Kuwaiti institutions continue to step up their emergency preparedness. Kuwait University’s administration announced on Monday that it had reviewed emergency protocols in coordination with relevant national authorities. The university confirmed its readiness and reaffirmed its commitment to continuous coordination with the state. “The university administration, led by Director Dr Dina Al-Mailem, will maintain constant communication with national entities to stay updated on developments,” read an official statement, urging the public to report emergencies via its 24/7 hotline: 24983333.
No food shortages
In the economic sphere, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry assured citizens that the country’s food supply remains stable. “The situation is completely stable. There is no shortage of essential food items,” said ministry spokesperson Abdullah Al-Herz. He noted that water production continues around the clock, supply chains remain uninterrupted, and consumer cooperatives are operating as usual. “Emergency plans are fully in place,” Al-Herz added, highlighting that commercial inspection teams are actively monitoring markets to ensure price stability and stock availability.
Security and defense
Meanwhile, regional military and emergency coordination is ongoing. In Kuwait, Naval Forces Commander Major General Sulaiman Al-Hamlan met with UK Defense Senior Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa, Vice Admiral Edward Algerine, at Mohammed Al-Ahmad Naval Base. The two sides discussed key military topics and areas of joint interest.
Kuwait Fire Force Chief Major General Talal Al-Roumi also met with UAE emergency management chief Ali Al-Neyadi to explore ways of boosting cooperation in disaster and crisis response. The meeting, which included cybersecurity officials, focused on coordination and joint readiness in light of the regional security environment. — Agencies
Erdogan gifts Amir Turkish-made EV • Leaders hold official talks • Key agreements inked
KUWAIT: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and an accompanying delegation arrived in Kuwait on Tuesday on an official visit. Heading the reception at Kuwait International Airport were HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Also present were HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and senior ministers and state officials.
HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal received a gift from Erdogan at Bayan Palace. The gift, an emblem of Erdogan’s appreciation and pride in the bilateral ties between the two nations, is a Turkish-made Togg electric vehicle. HH the Amir voiced his sincere appreciation for this generous gesture, wishing the President and the Turkish people further progress and prosperity.
HH the Amir held official talks at Bayan Palace with Erdogan, attended by HH the Crown Prince, HH the Prime Minister and senior officials from both sides. Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah said during the talks, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations between Kuwait and Turkey, discussed means of strengthening cooperation in various fields and exchanged views on key regional and international developments of mutual concern.
HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal welcomes President Erdogan before holding official talks.
In the presence of HH the Amir and Erdogan, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef pose after signing an agreement between the two countries.
The meeting reflected the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two countries, affirming their mutual desire to enhance cooperation across all domains in a manner that serves their common interests and promotes regional stability. Preserving the hard-won ceasefire recently achieved in Gaza between the Zionist entity and the Palestinian group Hamas is critically important, Erdogan said Tuesday, according to a statement by the Turkish Communications Directorate. “Emphasizing the critical importance of maintaining the strenuously achieved ceasefire in Gaza, President Erdogan stated that a two-state solution is imperative for lasting peace, and highlighted the significance of the Islamic world’s common stance on this matter,” said the directorate.
The statement also said that Erdogan “stressed Turkiye’s resolve in upholding Syria’s political unity and territorial integrity, and expressed the desire to move forward together with the brotherly Arab states in building a promising future for the Syrian people.” On bilateral ties, Erdogan said the existing cooperation between Turkey and Kuwait in the fields of investment, energy, trade and the defense industry carries strategic importance. “President Erdogan stressed the potential to further enhance the deep-rooted bilateral ties,” the statement said.
“President Erdogan expressed appreciation for Kuwait’s efforts to promote regional stability as the current Chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and remarked that the free trade agreement, still under negotiation between Turkiye and the GCC, would further strengthen Turkiye’s commercial relations with the brotherly Gulf countries,” it added.
HH the Amir then held a banquet in honor of Erdogan and his accompanying delegation. Later, in the presence of HH the Amir and Erdogan, HH the Crown Prince and HH the Prime Minister, a number of agreements were signed at Bayan Palace between Kuwait and Turkey. The agreements include a maritime transport agreement and a memorandum of understanding on the mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates; a memorandum on cooperation in the energy sector; and a memorandum on cooperation in the field of direct investment incentives. Erdogan and his accompanying delegation then departed from Kuwait, heading to Qatar. Bidding him farewell at the airport were HH the Crown Prince, HH the Prime Minister and top state officials. – Agencies
KUWAIT: Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mashaan on Tuesday signed a contract with the Turkish company Kozo for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant in South Al-Mutlaa City, along with its complementary works. In a press statement, the Ministry of Public Works said the project is part of the ministry’s development plan and is designed to serve the residents of Al-Mutlaa City.
The plant will produce around 400,000 cubic meters of triple-treated water daily for agricultural and other beneficial uses. The ministry added that the facility represents a pioneering step in the adoption of alternative energy technologies, reflecting Kuwait’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure development and environmental conservation. — KUNA
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