Kuwait News

3 months ago

Rubio Heads To Gulf Capitals As Washington Races To Lock In Iran Deal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates this week, set for June 23–25, following the weekend breakthrough Switzerland-based negotiations with Iran, Department of State Spokesperson Tommy Pigott announced Monday. The announcement comes on the heels of indirect talks between Iranian and American officials – the latter delegation which was led by Vice President JD Vance in person, which took place on Sunday in the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock under the mediation of Pakistan and Qatar. “Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain from June 23-25. The Secretary will discuss a range of regional priorities,” Pigott said in the official statement released by State. These countries will likely seek some kind of serious reconstruction reparations for the attacks they suffered through the opening months of Operation Epic Fury. According to the spokesperson, Rubio’s diplomatic tour will focus heavily on the newly drafted US-Iran memorandum of understanding, alongside ongoing initiatives to restore free, safe, and regular commercial transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Pressure has also been put on Oman of late to not side with Iranian demands for its own protocol for international vessel […]

3 months ago

Kuwait Arrests Four Fugitives Convicted in $180 Million Public Funds Misappropriation Case

Three men, a woman detained following extensive investigations Kuwait’s Interior Ministry has arrested four people convicted in cases involving the misappropriation of public funds and causing serious damage to state finances, with losses estimated at about $180 million. The ministry said the suspects, including three men and one woman, were apprehended by the General Department for the Enforcement of Judgments after extensive investigations, surveillance and field operations carried out across several areas of the country, local media reported. In a statement, the ministry said specialised security units continued round-the-clock efforts to track down and arrest all convicted fugitives, stressing that authorities would not tolerate attempts to evade justice or avoid serving court-imposed sentences. The ministry urged individuals subject to final court rulings to surrender voluntarily and regularise their legal status, warning that failure to do so could lead to security measures including raids, arrests and compulsory enforcement actions in accordance with the law. It added that enforcing judicial rulings was a legal obligation that would be implemented without exception, and said security campaigns to apprehend wanted persons would continue in order to uphold the rule of law and protect public security. Dh9.4b invested in Jordan’s strategic projects: ADFD Qatar, Spain […]

3 months ago

CENTCOM Says Hormuz Naval Blockade Ends As Gulf Energy Flows Reboot

U.S. CENTCOM says U.S. Naval Blockade on Hormuz has been “Lifted” The roughly two-month U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has officially ended, according to U.S. Central Command on X. This marks a major de-escalation in the Gulf region, as early signs point to the beginning of normalization of energy flows through the critical waterway by tankers. “Today, U.S. forces lifted the blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, in accordance with the President’s direction,” CENTCOM said. CENTCOM continued, “American forces are not impeding the transit of vessels to or from Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. All U.S. military blockade enforcement efforts have ceased. Our great Naval Ships will remain in the general area to make sure that all aspects of the agreement are adhered to, obeyed and in full force and effect.” Today, U.S. forces lifted the blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, in accordance with the President’s direction. American forces are not impeding the transit of vessels to or from Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of… Attention on institutional desks is shifting toward normalization signals […]

3 months ago

Kuwait Airways Expands Summer Network With Four Destinations

Kuwait Airways has launched commercial flights to four destinations as part of its Summer 2026 operating plan, expanding its seasonal network to include Vienna in Austria, Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Trabzon in Turkey and Salalah in Oman. Abdulwahab Al Shatti, acting Chief Executive of Kuwait Airways, said the destinations were among the key routes added to the airline’s network and continued to attract strong demand from travellers. “The inclusion of these destinations reflects the company’s commitment to meeting customer expectations and offering a diverse range of travel options that cater to different preferences and needs,” Al Shatti said, according to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). He said the airline was continuing to implement plans to strengthen its international route network and provide travellers with a wider choice of destinations during the summer season. Al Shatti added that the routes were selected following an assessment of market demand and travel trends and would enhance Kuwait Airways’ network during the 2026 summer period. The airline said it remained committed to developing its operational services and improving the passenger experience while strengthening its role as Kuwait’s national carrier linking the country to major destinations worldwide.

3 months ago

“Zero Hormuz Dependency”: UAE Races To Rewire Energy Flows, Bypassing Chokepoint Chaos

The shuttered Strait of Hormuz is expected to reopen within days, though conflicting reports suggest the US-Iran memorandum of understanding could be formally signed as early as today, Thursday, or Friday. Either way, the interim peace deal appears likely to be signed within the next 48 hours, setting the stage for energy flows through the critical maritime chokepoint to begin normalizing, a process that could take many months. The broader takeaway is that buyers of crude, refined products, and LNG now have to rethink their sourcing stack after the US-Iran conflict effectively shut Hormuz for several months. That means diversifying supply chains and reducing exposure to single-point maritime chokepoints. For Gulf energy producers, the Hormuz disruption will accelerate a massive push toward alternative export channels that bypass Hormuz entirely, potentially reducing Tehran’s ability to use the strait as a lever in future conflicts. In the first month of the conflict, Saudi Arabia’s Hormuz-bypassing East-West pipeline ramped up to its full capacity of 7 million barrels a day, allowing the Kingdom to divert flows from Arabian Gulf loading terminals to those at Yanbu on the Red Sea. Separately, there has been a rush across other Gulf states to identify alternatives to […]

3 months ago

Australia Relaxes Travel Advice to UAE, Gulf Region After US-Iran Interim Deal

[Editor’s Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.] Australia on Wednesday relaxed its travel advice for several Middle Eastern countries, allowing Australians to transit through and travel to the biggest Gulf air hubs with the security of being covered by insurance. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the previous “do not travel” advisory had been lowered for the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Israel and Kuwait after the US and Iran reached an interim deal to end the war. She said the advisory had moved to “reconsider your need to travel” to those countries, as the security situation could still deteriorate rapidly with little warning. The removal of the “do not travel” warning is positive for Gulf airlines. They had carried more than half of all passengers flying from Europe to Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands before the war began in late February, according to aviation data firm Cirium. Many Australian travellers concerned about the risk of missiles and drones, schedule disruptions and the lack of travel insurance coverage had preferred flights on carriers like Qantas Airways, Singapore Airlines and Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways that transited in Asia, driving up airfares. Flight Centre Travel […]

3 months ago

Kuwait’s Highest Court Issues Final Ruling in Sheikh Talal Case

Final ruling combines penalties from two public spending cases Dubai: Kuwait’s Court of Cassation has sentenced Sheikh Talal Al Khaled, former interior minister, to three years in prison with hard labour and imposed a fine of KD3,000 after ruling in two high-profile public spending cases involving the Ministries of Interior and Defence. The court ordered the sentences in the two cases to be merged, meaning the final enforceable prison term will be three years. The ruling brings an end to a legal process that stemmed from allegations concerning the use of funds allocated within the budgets of the two ministries. The Court of Cassation had previously reserved judgment on an appeal filed by Sheikh Talal against an earlier verdict issued by the Ministers Court. That court had sentenced Sheikh Talal to a total of 14 years in prison, comprising seven years in each case. It also ordered him to repay approximately KD10 million and imposed an additional financial penalty of around KD20 million. The charges included allegations of embezzlement of public funds from the budgets of the Ministries of Defence and Interior, as well as money laundering. Under Kuwait’s judicial system, rulings issued by the Court of Cassation are final, bringing the […]

3 months ago

Kuwait Revokes Citizenship of 2,193 in Major Nationality Crackdown

Citizenship will also be withdrawn from those who acquired it by dependency Kuwait has revoked the citizenship of 2,193 people under a series of decrees published in the country’s Official Gazette, Kuwait Today, as the Gulf state continues its review of nationality files. The decrees, published on Sunday, state that Kuwaiti citizenship will also be withdrawn from individuals who acquired it by dependency through those whose nationality has been revoked. The latest measures form part of an ongoing campaign by Kuwaiti authorities to reassess citizenship records and implement decisions issued by the relevant government bodies. In recent months, the government has announced successive decrees revoking the nationality of thousands of individuals under provisions of the country’s nationality law. The Official Gazette did not provide further details on the identities of those affected or the specific legal grounds for the latest withdrawals. Kuwait overhauls citizenship rules—who is affected? Kuwait strips 120 of citizenship over dual nationality

3 months ago

Kuwait Airways Launches First Direct Flights to Mykonos as Part of 2026 Summer Schedule

National carrier begins twice-weekly service on Sunday and Thursday Kuwait Airways on Sunday launched its first commercial flights to the Greek island of Mykonos, operating twice-weekly services on Sundays and Thursdays as part of its 2026 summer schedule. Acting Chief Executive Officer Abdulwahab Al Shatti said the new route reflects the airline’s commitment to expanding its seasonal destination network and offering travellers a wider range of options to some of the world’s leading tourist destinations, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported. He described Mykonos as one of Europe’s most popular summer destinations, known for its distinctive tourism appeal and natural attractions, adding that the airline continues to enhance its services and broaden travel options in line with passengers’ needs while providing a seamless and comfortable travel experience. The new destination forms part of Kuwait Airways’ summer operational plan, which aims to provide a flexible and diversified network linking Kuwait with numerous cities and holiday destinations worldwide. Al Shatti said the national carrier would continue implementing its operational strategy in line with the highest standards, reinforcing its position as Kuwait’s national airline while offering customers enhanced services and competitive travel options throughout the year. Kuwait Airways taps summer travel demand with […]

3 months ago

Kuwait Warns Chalet Owners: Subleasing Could Cost You Your Permit

Permit holders urged to comply with regulations and financial obligations Kuwait’s Ministry of Finance has warned chalet and state land permit holders against subleasing government properties, stressing that violations could lead to licence cancellation and immediate eviction. The ministry said permit holders must comply fully with the terms and conditions governing the use of chalets and licensed land plots, as part of efforts to protect state assets and ensure their use in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements. Among the key conditions is a prohibition on renting or transferring the use of chalets and land plots to third parties under any arrangement. Permit holders are also required to maintain the boundaries of their allocated sites, avoid encroachments on neighbouring areas and adhere to all regulations governing the use of state-owned property. The ministry further emphasised the importance of settling all financial obligations and outstanding fees within the prescribed timeframes. The ministry warned that any breach of licence conditions, misuse of the property or failure to meet financial commitments could trigger legal and administrative action. Penalties may include the termination of the permit and the removal of occupants from the site without prior notice. The ministry urged all licence holders to […]

Search Here

Recent Posts

Bahrain International Airshow’s Eighth Edition Rescheduled to November 2028

Qatar to digitise sweetened drink registration process from November 1

Saudi-led coalition in Yemen says 73 injured in Houthi attacks on the kingdom

One visa for 6 Gulf countries: GCC chief says scheme will launch ‘soon’

Search Here

Rubio Heads To Gulf Capitals As Washington Races To Lock In Iran Deal

Kuwait Arrests Four Fugitives Convicted in $180 Million Public Funds Misappropriation Case

CENTCOM Says Hormuz Naval Blockade Ends As Gulf Energy Flows Reboot

Kuwait Airways Expands Summer Network With Four Destinations

“Zero Hormuz Dependency”: UAE Races To Rewire Energy Flows, Bypassing Chokepoint Chaos

Australia Relaxes Travel Advice to UAE, Gulf Region After US-Iran Interim Deal

Kuwait’s Highest Court Issues Final Ruling in Sheikh Talal Case

Kuwait Revokes Citizenship of 2,193 in Major Nationality Crackdown

Kuwait Airways Launches First Direct Flights to Mykonos as Part of 2026 Summer Schedule

Kuwait Warns Chalet Owners: Subleasing Could Cost You Your Permit

Recent Posts

Bahrain International Airshow’s Eighth Edition Rescheduled to November 2028

Qatar to digitise sweetened drink registration process from November 1

Saudi-led coalition in Yemen says 73 injured in Houthi attacks on the kingdom

One visa for 6 Gulf countries: GCC chief says scheme will launch ‘soon’

Popular Indian restaurant Chokhi Dhani Dubai to close permanently on September 15

New tourist, residential project along Arabian Gulf coast announced in Saudi Arabia

Useful Links

Subscribe to our mailing list

Online Magazine