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

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.

KUWAIT: Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) on Monday launched a regional meeting focused on combating animal and zoonotic diseases in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The four-day event will address several priority diseases in the region, including brucellosis, Rift Valley fever, foot-and-mouth disease and peste des petits ruminants (PPR).

Dr Abdulaziz Al-Ateeqi, the meeting’s regional coordinator at KISR, told KUNA that the event aims to enhance cooperation and coordination among GCC member states while promoting the exchange of expertise on modern technologies for the rapid and accurate detection of animal diseases.

Al-Ateeqi noted that some of these diseases impact public health, while others directly threaten food security – making regional coordination essential. He added that the meeting is held under the “One Health” approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health to build a comprehensive system for the prevention and management of animal and zoonotic diseases in the region.

Participants aim to strengthen collaboration in key areas such as technical capacity building, the development of veterinary laboratory networks, utilization of reference laboratories and collaborative centers and improved information sharing and scientific research.

Carla Bravo de Rueda, Animal Health Technical Officer at the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre, told KUNA that enhancing regional cooperation and veterinary laboratory networks is vital for improving joint response capacities to transboundary and zoonotic diseases. She noted that the Kuwait meeting provides an opportunity to reinforce collective efforts and explore the development of a future veterinary laboratory network – drawing inspiration from models such as CamVetNet, coordinated by the UAE under the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

De Rueda pointed to successful initiatives such as the US veterinary lab networks, which were established to control disease outbreaks through rapid emergency cooperation and harmonized operational protocols. She affirmed the IAEA’s willingness to support these efforts but emphasized that success hinges on local commitment from member countries – whether by expanding CamVetNet to include more diseases or by launching new networks focused on regionally significant animal health threats.

Suggested areas for collaboration include proficiency testing, broader use of global reference laboratories and collaborative centers (such as those in the UAE) and mobilizing national expertise to enhance regional cooperation in animal disease prevention and response. — KUNA

Dr Mohamed Alhosani, WOAH’s Subregional Representative for the Gulf, told KUNA that the meeting serves as an important scientific platform to foster cooperation and capacity-building in animal health across the region. He said the event brings together representatives from GCC countries and international organizations, including the IAEA, WOAH and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The primary goal, he noted, is to support member states in building technical capacities and developing national systems to manage animal and zoonotic diseases. Alhosani praised the contributions of international organizations for providing critical technical and advisory support and thanked the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research for organizing and hosting the meeting. He expressed hope that the outcomes would strengthen regional health security and bolster effective animal health prevention and response efforts. – KUNA