Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi Says Kuwait Unlawfully Attacked Iranian Boat, Detained Four Nationals

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Kuwait of “unlawfully” attacking an Iranian boat and detaining four Iranian nationals in the Persian Gulf, and he demanded their immediate release while warning that Tehran “reserves the right to respond.”

Araghchi said the incident occurred near an island used by the U.S. to attack Iran, and he described Kuwait’s actions as an “illegal act.”

ABC News

Kuwait’s Interior Ministry said security forces arrested four individuals affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as they attempted to enter the country by sea, according to the accounts cited by Yeni Safak English.

Roya News also reported Araghchi’s position that Tehran had the right to respond after Kuwait arrested four citizens, quoting him as writing on X that Kuwait had “unlawfully attacked an Iranian boat and detained 4 of our citizens in the Persian Gulf.”

In a post on X, Abbas Araghchi condemned Kuwait’s detention of four Iranian nationals sailing on a boat in the Persian Gulf and said the Arab country must immediately release them.

PressTV quoted Araghchi saying, “In a clear attempt to sow discord, Kuwait has unlawfully attacked an Iranian boat and detained 4 of our citizens in the Persian Gulf,” and added that he warned Iran “reserves the right to respond.”

Amu TV

Dunya News similarly framed Araghchi’s statement as an accusation that Kuwait’s actions were illegal and that the incident took place near an island allegedly used by the United States for operations against Iran.

The same Dunya News account said Araghchi added that Tehran seeks to avoid further escalation in the region but would not remain silent over any action targeting Iranian nationals.

The dispute was described as part of heightened military activity in Gulf waters after the United States and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran on February 28, which triggered retaliatory measures from Tehran and the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping.

“Iran accuses Kuwait of ‘unlawfully’ attacking Iranian boat, demands release of 4 citizens Accusation comes after Kuwait arrested 4 Iranians over alleged links to Iran's IRGC Serdar Dincel 13 May 2026•Update: 13 May 2026 ISTANBUL Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Kuwait on Wednesday of “unlawfully” attacking an Iranian boat and detaining four Iranians in the Gulf, demanding their immediate release”

Anadolu Ajansı

Yeni Safak English reported that a fragile ceasefire took effect on April 8 following mediation efforts by Pakistan, and that US President Donald Trump later extended the truce without setting a specific deadline for its expiration.

Anadolu Ajansı said regional tensions had escalated since the Feb. 28 strikes, and it linked the Kuwait arrests to the broader pattern of retaliation and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

In the same Anadolu Ajansı account, Araghchi’s X post included the line, “This illegal act took place near island used by the US to attack Iran,” as he demanded the immediate release of the four Iranians.