Il Kuwait, segnato dall'invasione irachena del 1990, diventa il bersaglio più facile dell'Iran nel Golfo

Kuwait, long haunted by the scars of the 1990 Iraqi invasion, has found itself at the center of a new conflict as Iran intensifies its attacks on the Gulf nation. Since early February, the country has endured nearly 1,400 missile and drone strikes, making it the second-most-targeted state in the region after the United Arab Emirates. The assaults have struck critical infrastructure, including the international airport, oil facilities, power plants, and water desalination units that supply over 90 percent of the country’s drinking water. These attacks have left residents in a state of heightened anxiety, with many expressing fear despite the nation’s relative peace in recent years. The attacks began amid a broader regional conflict involving the United States and Iran, which saw a temporary ceasefire collapse in late March. According to the Institute for National Security Studies, a Jerusalem-based think tank, Kuwait has borne the brunt of renewed hostilities since then. The country’s strategic location, close to Iran and hosting a large contingent of U.S. military personnel, has made it a prime target for Tehran. Approximately 13,500 American soldiers are stationed in Kuwait, a legacy of past U.S. military operations in Iraq. Residents describe a growing sense of unease. One local, identified as Yaqoub, spoke of the constant noise of missile defenses and drones becoming part of daily life. “People are very scared,” he said. “This is not Gaza or Iran or other war zones, but at the same time we are not used to living in a crisis.” The psychological toll of the 1990 invasion continues to echo through generations, setting Kuwait apart from its neighbors in terms of historical trauma. Kuwaiti officials confirmed that Iran has targeted both U.S. military installations and domestic infrastructure. Recent strikes on power plants forced authorities to request citizens reduce their energy usage, a challenge given the extreme summer heat that often reaches nearly 50 degrees Celsius. In response to the initial attacks, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard issued statements encouraging Kuwaitis to “destroy the institutions of the aggressor Americans.” Despite these threats, Kuwait has maintained a more moderate stance compared to neighboring countries such as Bahrain and the UAE, which have taken stronger positions against Iran. While the UAE has considered joining efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz and conducted covert air strikes against Iran, it has avoided being directly hit by Iranian projectiles. Similarly, Saudi Arabia has faced only one attack targeting a U.S. base, with Iran focusing primarily on Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, alongside limited strikes on Qatar and Oman. Experts suggest that Kuwait’s vulnerability stems from its geographic constraints. Assistant history professor Bader al-Saif noted that the country’s compact size makes it easier for Iran to target key locations. “Their repeated attacks on Kuwait aim to instill a ‘fear factor,’ but life remains as usual,” he said. However, the scale of recent attacks has exceeded expectations. Saif described the situation as “unprecedented,” suggesting that Iran might be using the conflict as a means to vent frustration rather than solely targeting Kuwait. As the conflict continues, the future of Kuwait’s stability remains uncertain. With its infrastructure under strain and its population increasingly anxious, the nation faces a delicate balancing act between maintaining its sovereignty and managing the fallout from a larger regional struggle. The presence of U.S. forces adds another layer of complexity, potentially drawing further attention from Iran. For now, the people of Kuwait continue their daily routines amidst the backdrop of war, hoping for a resolution that will bring lasting peace to the region.