Kuwait accused Iran on Tuesday of sending an armed paramilitary Revolutionary Guard team to carry out a failed attack earlier this month on Bubiyan Island, which hosts a China-funded port project.
The allegation came just ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Iran has not publicly acknowledged the claim. Kuwait said the alleged plot highlights ongoing threats in the region even during a fragile ceasefire.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee noted that Israel deployed Iron Dome anti-missile batteries and personnel to the United Arab Emirates to defend the country during the war, underscoring the growing defense relationship between Israel and the UAE. This is the first publicly acknowledged deployment of Israel’s military to the Emirates, a federation that includes Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The Strait of Hormuz remains under Iranian influence, and stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations raise the risk of renewed conflict.
Kuwait alleges Iranian plan
Kuwait said six armed Revolutionary Guard members attempted to infiltrate Bubiyan Island on May 1. Kuwaiti forces detained four of the men, while two escaped. One Kuwaiti security officer was wounded. The detainees included two Guard naval captains, one naval lieutenant, and one army lieutenant.
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Exercise conducted by Revolutionary Guard commandos in 2015, in the Strait of Hormuz area
Bubiyan Island is home to Mubarak Al Kabeer Port, part of China’s Belt and Road initiative, which was previously targeted by Iran during the war. Kuwait did not explain why the Iranian link was announced only now, but the timing coincides with the upcoming U.S.-China summit.
Israeli deployment to UAE
Huckabee, speaking at a Tel Aviv event, confirmed Israel sent Iron Dome batteries and personnel to help operate them in the UAE. He praised the Emirates for their cooperation, noting the deployment came with Emirati and Israeli approval.
The UAE and Israel did not comment directly, but the move signals military strength and reassurance to investors, amid previous Iranian drone and missile attacks. The UAE has also shut down Iran-linked sites since the conflict began.
During a visit by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, UAE leaders displayed military cooperation with Egyptian pilots and Rafael fighter jets, highlighting the region’s evolving security posture.
Gulf tensions and the Abraham Accords
Huckabee expressed optimism that other Gulf states may join the Abraham Accords, while cautioning that Iran’s aggressive actions could force regional choices between Iranian attacks and Israeli assistance.
Meanwhile, Bahrain sentenced at least two dozen people, including three to life in prison, for alleged ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, marking an ongoing crackdown on dissidents and Iran-linked networks during the war.