The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran came under renewed strain Wednesday after fresh military exchanges spread beyond the immediate battlefield, leaving one person dead in Kuwait, disrupting air traffic across the Gulf, and deepening uncertainty over diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict.
Kuwaiti authorities said Iranian missiles and drones struck civilian and strategic sites, including Kuwait International Airport, while U.S. forces reported intercepting Iranian drones near the Strait of Hormuz and conducting strikes against targets on Iran's Qeshm Island. The escalation unfolded as negotiators on both sides continued to signal sharply different expectations for any future agreement.
The latest violence has raised concerns that a conflict both Washington and Tehran have publicly suggested they want to avoid could be slipping back toward open confrontation. While talks remain active behind the scenes, military operations have continued alongside diplomacy, creating a volatile environment across the region.
According to Kuwait's Defense Ministry, the country came under one of its largest attacks since the crisis began. Military officials said forces intercepted 13 ballistic missiles and engaged 17 attack drones launched from Iran.
Colonel Staff Saud Abdulaziz Al-Attwan, a spokesperson for the ministry, said the projectiles were intercepted over populated areas, causing debris to fall into residential districts.
"This malicious Iranian aggression resulted in the targeting of civilian and vital facilities, including Kuwait International Airport, which led to the death of a resident of Indian nationality and injuries to several people, in addition to significant material damage," Al-Attwan said.
Kuwait's Health Ministry reported that at least 63 people were injured. Seven victims required major emergency surgeries. Airport operations were temporarily suspended as authorities assessed damage and secured affected facilities.
The attack triggered an immediate diplomatic response. Kuwait's Foreign Ministry summoned Iran's senior envoy and announced the expulsion of two Iranian diplomats.
In a statement, the ministry said Acting Chargé d'Affaires Hamid Hamid Yaqoubi Far was handed "an official protest note regarding the ongoing Iranian attacks and informed him of its decision to reduce the size of the Iranian diplomatic mission in Kuwait."
The ministry added that "two members of the Iranian diplomatic staff were declared persona non grata and ordered to leave Kuwaiti territory within a maximum of 24 hours."
Kuwaiti officials rejected Tehran's justification for the attacks, which Iran described as retaliation against U.S. military operations. According to Kuwait's Foreign Ministry, the deputy foreign minister told the Iranian envoy that "Iran's allegations are baseless, unsupported by evidence, and cannot in any way justify attacks against Kuwaiti territory or its civilian and strategic facilities."
The military escalation came as Iranian officials issued some of their strongest warnings since the ceasefire was announced. Mohammad Jafar Asadi, deputy head of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya central military command, suggested another round of fighting may be unavoidable.
"When surrender is not an option, war lies ahead. Therefore, we are prepared and have no issue with war," Asadi said on Iranian state television.
He also warned that Tehran still possessed capabilities it had not yet deployed.
"There are many capabilities that, if necessary, we will use," Asadi said.
Despite the rhetoric, signs of continued diplomatic engagement remain. Iran's Mehr News Agency reported that officials are still evaluating Washington's latest proposal and have not delivered a formal response.
"Based on previous experiences, Iran is seeking tangible and real benefits," a source told the outlet. "The United States is concerned about war; we are concerned about an agreement."
Reuters, citing three Iranian sources close to decision-makers, reported that Tehran's leadership remains reluctant to make major nuclear concessions even as economic pressures intensify. The report said Iranian officials continue trying to keep negotiations alive while avoiding commitments that could be viewed domestically as surrender.
President Donald Trump struck a more optimistic tone during an interview on the New York Post's "Pod Force One" podcast. Asked about the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said he expects the situation to stabilize relatively quickly.
"I think that we'll have it - I think this will resolve itself fairly quickly," Trump said. He also indicated that it was "unlikely" the blockade would still be in place by Labor Day.
