Key facts
- Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson accused Kuwait of being "part of the fire of the wicked".
- The comments were made amid Iranian missile attacks on US bases in Kuwait.
- Kuwait denied launching strikes from its territory and called Iran's actions "criminal aggression".
- Historically, Iran supported Kuwait during the 1990-91 Gulf War after Kuwait aided Iraq against Iran.
- Kuwait hosts five US military bases, the largest number in the Middle East.
The relationship between Iran and Kuwait has deteriorated, marked by recent accusations from Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, who called Kuwait "part of the fire of the wicked" amid Iranian missile attacks on US bases. This statement, referencing Iran's support during the 1990-91 Gulf War, signals a significant souring of ties.
Historically, relations have been complex. While Iran aided Kuwait during the Gulf War, Kuwait had previously supported Iraq during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War, driven by concerns over Iran's post-revolution government and its potential influence over Kuwait's Shia population. During the Iran-Iraq War, Iran was accused of attacks on Kuwaiti interests, though direct state responsibility was never conclusively proven.
Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Iran welcomed thousands of refugees and was commended for its humanitarian efforts. Subsequently, Iran also played a crucial role in extinguishing over 600 burning oil wells set ablaze by retreating Iraqi forces, an operation that significantly improved bilateral relations throughout the 1990s.
However, the expanding US military presence in the region, with Kuwait hosting five of the 19 US bases in the Middle East, remains a point of contention for Iran, which views it as a threat to its sovereignty. Despite Kuwait's denials of facilitating offensive operations from its territory, reports suggest potential complicity in strikes against Iran, further straining the relationship.