Tensions Rise as Kuwait Accuses Iran of Drone Strikes Amid Ceasefire Efforts

Escalating Conflicts in the Middle East

Dubai: Kuwait has accused Iran and its affiliates of conducting drone strikes against its territory on Thursday, despite a two-week ceasefire in the ongoing conflict involving Iran. This accusation comes as Saudi Arabia reported damage to a critical pipeline due to recent attacks.

The Kuwaiti foreign ministry's statement, disseminated by the state-run KUNA news agency, has intensified scrutiny on the ceasefire ahead of upcoming discussions scheduled for Saturday between the United States and Iran in Islamabad.

According to Kuwait's foreign ministry, the drone strikes targeted essential facilities within the country on Thursday night.

In a related development, Saudi Arabia's state-run Saudi Press Agency confirmed an attack that impacted its vital East-West pipeline, which is crucial for transporting oil to the Red Sea while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint controlled by Iran.

In a potential boost for ceasefire negotiations in the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that he has authorized direct talks with Lebanon aimed at disarming Iranian-supported Hezbollah militants and fostering diplomatic relations.

Israel and Lebanon have been in a state of conflict since Israel's establishment in 1948. Netanyahu emphasized that there is no ceasefire between the two nations, asserting that Israel will continue to target Hezbollah until security is restored in northern Israel.

Lebanon has yet to respond to these developments.

However, negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are anticipated to commence next week at the State Department in Washington, as per a US official who requested anonymity.

The possibility of these talks seems to support the fragile ceasefire in the Iran conflict, which has been strained by Israel's bombardment of Beirut and Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, raising questions about the potential for finding common ground.

Later on Thursday, US President Donald Trump expressed skepticism regarding the ceasefire's effectiveness, stating on his social media platform that Iran is failing to allow oil passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump remarked, "That is not the agreement we have!"

Netanyahu's decision to engage in negotiations with Lebanon comes amid confusion over whether the ceasefire includes a halt in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, particularly following a day of intense airstrikes in Beirut, marking the deadliest day in Lebanon since the conflict began on February 28.

Israel has a history of military engagements in Lebanon, most recently deploying troops last month in response to Hezbollah's attacks on Israeli border communities.

Initiating direct peace talks is a significant milestone, though achieving a resolution will be challenging given decades of animosity, Hezbollah's ongoing presence, and long-standing disputes over the shared border.

The upcoming discussions in Washington are expected to involve US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa and Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, according to sources familiar with the arrangements.

It remains unclear who will represent Lebanon in these talks. The timing and location of the negotiations were first reported by Axios.

Following the ceasefire announcement, both Iran and the US have exerted pressure on each other. Iranian semi-official news outlets have indicated that forces have mined the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for oil that Iran has effectively closed.

Trump warned that US forces would respond more forcefully if Iran does not adhere to the agreement.

He reiterated concerns about reports suggesting that Iran's military is imposing tolls on tankers attempting to navigate the strait.

"They better not be, and if they are, they better stop now!" he stated on social media.

Uncertainties persist regarding the fate of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, a central issue in the ongoing tensions, as well as the timeline for resuming normal traffic through the strait and Iran's capacity to conduct future missile strikes and support armed groups in the region.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian conveyed via Telegram that Iran's acceptance of a ceasefire "is not a sign of weakness but a means to reinforce Iran's proud victories."

Despite the ongoing disputes surrounding the ceasefire, it appears to have curtailed weeks of missile and drone assaults by Iran on its Gulf Arab neighbors and Israel, with no new attacks reported on Thursday.

There were also no reports of US or Israeli strikes targeting Iran.

Trump mentioned on Thursday that he has requested Netanyahu to reduce military actions in Lebanon.

Lebanon's health ministry reported that over 300 individuals were killed and more than 1,100 injured on Wednesday due to Israeli strikes in central Beirut and other regions, which Israel claimed were aimed at Hezbollah, who has been involved in the conflict supporting Tehran.

On Thursday, Israel announced the killing of an aide to Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem, Ali Yusuf Harshi. Hezbollah has not yet responded to requests for comments.

A think tank based in New York cautioned that the ceasefire "hovers on the verge of collapse" following Israel's strikes on Wednesday.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported that an Israeli strike overnight resulted in at least seven fatalities in southern Lebanon.