Kuwait condemns Qatari tanker attack

Kuwait’s Cabinet has condemned the attack on the Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker Al-Maida, warning that assaults on energy vessels threaten maritime safety, global supplies and regional stability.

Ministers called for the circumstances of the attack in Arabian Gulf waters to be established and those responsible identified and held accountable.

The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on Tuesday, also approved a draft decree-law concerning private sector participation in developing state-owned land for housing.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shareeda Al-Maousherji said ministers rejected the attack on the tanker, operated by Qatar Gas Transport Company, known as Nakilat.

They stressed the need to uphold international law, protect ships and their crews and ensure freedom of navigation. Attacks on energy tankers could have serious environmental and economic consequences, they warned.

The Cabinet expressed Kuwait’s solidarity with Qatar and support for measures to protect its security, interests, facilities and property.

Saudi talks address regional threats

Defence Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah briefed ministers on a telephone conversation with Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khaled bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud last Thursday.

The call covered defence relations and regional developments, with both sides expressing solidarity in confronting threats to their countries’ security and stability.

Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah outlined the response of his ministry and Kuwait’s overseas missions to regional and international developments.

He also reported on his visit to Riyadh last Wednesday, where he met Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Minister of State and Cabinet Member Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al-Saud.

During those meetings, Sheikh Jarrah condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and attempts to target Makkah and Madinah.

He described them as violations of Saudi sovereignty, international law and international humanitarian law and an assault on the sanctity of Islamic holy sites.

Repeated attacks on civilian facilities and vital infrastructure represented a dangerous escalation that threatened Saudi security and regional stability while endangering civilians and air navigation, he said. He called for a firm international response to ensure accountability.

Sheikh Jarrah said Saudi Arabia’s security was inseparable from that of Kuwait and the wider GCC, expressing support for Saudi measures to protect its sovereignty and stability.

The meetings also examined bilateral relations, opportunities for cooperation across sectors and continued consultation on regional challenges.

Protest over Iranian embassy statement

The foreign minister briefed the Cabinet on Kuwait’s summons of Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Toutounchi last Wednesday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Hamad Suleiman Al-Meshaan handed the envoy a protest note over an Iranian embassy statement issued on October 28.

Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry described the statement as interference in its internal affairs and an infringement of its sovereignty and judicial independence that violated international laws and diplomatic norms.

Al-Meshaan rejected interference in rulings by Kuwaiti courts and urged Iran to respect international law, the UN Charter, good neighbourliness and non-interference. He also called for compliance with the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Sheikh Jarrah separately updated ministers on telephone calls with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty. Those discussions covered regional developments and coordination to support security and stability.

The proposed housing legislation would amend Law No. 27 of 1995, which governs private sector participation in developing vacant state-owned land for housing welfare purposes.

It would allow portions of land allocated to the Public Authority for Housing Welfare to be transferred to other state entities when required by the public interest. It would also enable private sector participation in developing vacant state-owned land.

The draft complements Law No. 47 of 1993 on housing welfare and its amendments. It also complements Law No. 118 of 2023 on establishing companies to build cities or residential areas and develop them economically, as amended by Decree-Law No. 89 of 2025.

The Cabinet submitted the draft to Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Ministers also approved several agenda items, reports and ministerial committee minutes. Other matters were referred to the relevant committees for further study and recommendations.