Kuwait says its air defence systems were activated after Iran fired several drones to the U.S. military targets in the country on Friday. 

The Kuwait Army General Staff Headquarters, in a statement on X on Saturday, confirmed that the country’s air defenses were actively engaging hostile aerial targets.

“The General Staff of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces confirms that any explosions that may be heard are the result of air defense systems intercepting hostile targets,” the statement said.

The Kuwaiti authorities noted that while material damage was caused by falling debris, no casualties were reported.

The statement urged residents to “adhere to safety and security instructions issued by the relevant authorities.”

The development came amid a series of attacks on commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks. 

Despite the U.S claiming the waterway is open, Iran continues to restrict traffic and some shipping companies refuse to transit owing to security risks.

Meanwhile, Iran’s military accused the U.S of “escalating tensions” in the Middle East, warning countries in the region against cooperating with Washington.

“The United States is rapidly moving down the path of escalating tensions in the region. Any country serving as a defensive shield for criminal and aggressive America will be engulfed by the flames of war,” Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s military central command, said.