KUWAIT: Kuwait is mobilizing its scientific expertise and emergency response systems to safeguard the environment and public health, as officials brace for potential fallout from the ongoing military escalation between Iran and the Zionist entity. Amid rising fears over chemical, radiological, and environmental risks following airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy Dr Sabeeh Al-Mukhaizeem convened a coordination meeting Monday with senior officials from the Ministry of Health and the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR).

“The meeting focused on following up on the latest regional developments and reviewing preparedness to address any potential environmental repercussions resulting from these developments,” the ministry said in a statement.

Al-Mukhaizeem emphasized the importance of continued coordination between agencies and “taking all necessary precautionary measures to protect the country’s vital resources and mitigate any negative impacts that may arise from the current regional situation.” The meeting was attended by senior figures including Dr Adel Al-Zamil, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Electricity, and Dr Munther Al-Hasawi, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs, alongside Dr Nasser Al-Juwaisri, Director of Radiation Prevention. Leading the KISR delegation was Director General Dr Faisal Al-Humaidan.

Minister Subaih Al-Mukhaizeem chairs a meeting with officials from KISR, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy on Monday.

Scientists on board

KISR experts – Dr Abdullah Al-Enezi, Director of the Environment and Climate Change Program; Dr Yousef Al-Osairi, specialist in hydro-environmental modeling of the Arabian Gulf and Kuwait Bay; and Dr Mansour Mahmoud Ahmed, an expert in water treatment and desalination technologies – presented advanced simulation systems and research aimed at evaluating and forecasting environmental impacts under various conflict scenarios.

Separately, the National Guard reinforced its role in Kuwait’s emergency readiness through a visit from the KISR delegation to the Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah Center for Chemical Defense and Radiological Monitoring. According to a National Guard statement, Undersecretary Lt Gen Hashim Al-Rifai discussed ways to enhance collaboration, train personnel, and share scientific expertise. The delegation was briefed on the center’s responsibilities in monitoring chemical and radiological pollutants. “The delegation praised the advancements in the National Guard’s chemical defense systems,” the statement noted, adding that further cooperation would strengthen Kuwait’s environmental security under the current regional conditions.

No abnormal radiation

Kuwait’s National Guard confirmed Sunday that the country’s radiological and chemical situation remains “normal and stable”, despite rising regional tensions. In a joint statement to Al-Akhbar TV, Col Khaled Lami, Chief of Operations and Training at the center, said the Guard operates 29 land monitoring stations across border and urban areas, as well as 15 sea stations in Kuwaiti waters, all capable of detecting chemical and radiological threats in real time. “The monitoring system has been working nonstop since its launch in 2015, and all measures are routine, not tied to any specific event or development,” Lami explained. Dr Al-Hasawi, who also attended Monday’s meeting at the Ministry of Electricity, confirmed that the Ministry of Health operates a parallel nationwide monitoring system involving both fixed and mobile stations. “No abnormal radiological levels have been recorded, and all readings are within normal limits in Kuwait,” he reassured Sunday. — Agencies

KUWAIT: As regional tensions continue to escalate following the Zionist entity’s strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, Kuwait Fire Force confirmed on Monday its full operational readiness and the deployment of advanced detection and emergency response technologies to protect public safety. In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Brigadier General Mohammed Al-Ghareeb, Director of Public Relations and Media at the Fire Force, said all land, marine and airport fire stations are fully equipped and on alert to handle any emergency.

“The force maintains a state of continuous readiness 24/7 throughout the year to receive and respond immediately to all emergency calls — whether serious or minor — via the emergency number 112,” Al-Ghareeb said, noting that swift response times are guaranteed through this system.

The announcement comes amid heightened fears over regional fallout, four days into the ongoing strikes between Iran and the Zionist entity. Zionist airstrikes on Friday targeted Iran’s Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan nuclear facilities, prompting retaliatory missile and drone attacks. While no radiation leaks have been detected, the IAEA and international experts have raised concerns about potential environmental and safety risks, especially if sensitive facilities like Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant were to be hit.

Kuwait has been steadily reinforcing its emergency infrastructure across multiple sectors, including health, water, defense and environmental monitoring. The Fire Force now joins that effort with a detailed update on its capabilities. Al-Ghareeb explained that the Fire Force is supported by a fleet of modern vehicles and technologies, including a high-tech reconnaissance vehicle capable of detecting chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) hazards, as well as remotely identifying gases and radioactive substances. “The vehicle includes an internal lab for analyzing gases and liquids and can collect and process samples on-site,” he said, adding that this enables rapid threat identification and efficient response.

The Fire Force is also equipped with specialized protective suits that allow personnel to safely handle various hazardous substances, along with a robotic reconnaissance device used in high-risk or hard-to-reach areas. An advanced weather monitoring system is used to assess environmental conditions at incident sites to support real-time decisions. “These technologies enhance our ability to act quickly and safely in a range of emergency scenarios,” Al-Ghareeb said. He urged the public to cooperate by promptly reporting any emergency through the 112 hotline, adding: “Every report is treated seriously, regardless of the level of danger.” — Agencies

By Faten Omar & B Izzak

KUWAIT: Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait Mohammad Totonji praised the Kuwaiti leadership, led by HH the Amir, for its “balanced and constructive” stance in condemning the Zionist attacks on residential areas in Iran. Speaking at a press conference at the Iranian Embassy on Monday, Totonji reassured that Kuwaiti nationals in Iran are safe and that their return is proceeding smoothly via land borders, in coordination with Kuwaiti and Iraqi authorities.

The ambassador strongly condemned the Zionist attacks, calling them a “flagrant violation” of the UN Charter and an “outright declaration of war”. He held the United States fully responsible, accusing it of backing the Zionist entity’s illegitimate and dangerous aggression. Totonji reiterated that Iran was not the aggressor but a victim of a premeditated assault amid ongoing diplomatic efforts related to its nuclear program.

He reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to good-neighborly relations, particularly with Gulf states, and emphasized Iran’s respect for Kuwait’s position. “Iran remains open to dialogue and cooperation and will defend its sovereignty by all means if forced into confrontation,” he said, concluding, “Iran will not collapse or surrender — standing with Iran is not just political, it is a moral stance.”

Image posted on social media ashows contrails of ballistic missiles seen in Kuwait’s skies early June 16, 2025.

Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti army said on Monday that the ballistic missiles seen in Kuwait’s skies were at high altitudes and outside the country’s airspace. The army’s general staff also stressed that the missiles did not pose any threat to Kuwait and the population. Pictures posted on social media showed ballistic missiles, believed to be Iranian, clearly visible from Kuwait as the war between the Zionist entity and neighboring Iran rages.

Kuwait National Guard also denied conducting any operations in Kuwait’s skies, indicating that its forces are executing their duties in defense, security and supporting state bodies in cooperation with the ministries of defense and interior.

Ministries and government departments continued to review their contingency plans amid an intensification in the armed conflict.

Kuwait Fire Force said it is well prepared for the current situation and its teams are ready to deal with any emergency after the outbreak of armed hostilities in the region. Director of Public Relations Brig Mohammad Al-Ghareeb called on the public on Monday to call the department on 112 in case of any emergency to ensure swift action. He added the department has advanced systems capable of detecting and dealing with toxic chemical, biological and nuclear materials in addition to radiation and gas.

The Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources on Monday hosted a meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council officials to discuss food security amid the regional conflict. The meeting also discussed achieving self-sufficiency in food for the six member states. Minister of Electricity and Water Sabeeh Al-Mukhaizeem on Monday held a meeting with senior officials from the health ministry and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research to discuss readiness to deal with any environmental consequences of the regional conflict.