Kuwait’s army said on Friday, April 24, that two drones launched from Iraq targeted two northern border posts, causing material damage but no casualties.
The military described the strike as a fresh security incident on Kuwait’s frontier, with authorities yet to identify those responsible or provide further operational details. The attack comes amid heightened instability across the Gulf and growing fears of spillover from the wider regional conflict.
The development also prompted renewed attention on regional airspace and border security after Kuwait recently reopened its airspace following precautionary restrictions linked to ongoing tensions.
Iran’s FM Araghchi likely to reach Pakistan tonight
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to travel to Pakistan this weekend for talks, according to two Pakistani officials quoted by the Associated Press.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Araghchi would be accompanied by a small government delegation and could arrive as early as Friday. No further details of the visit were disclosed.
US says blockade will continue
Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the American blockade of Iranian shipping would continue “as long as it takes” to achieve Washington’s mission of ending what he described as Iran’s threat to global security, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
US officials said the blockade had so far turned back 34 ships, though ship-tracking data indicated Iran had still managed to move some sanctioned oil exports.
Lloyd’s List Intelligence reported that “a steady flow of shadow fleet traffic” had continued moving in and out of the Persian Gulf, including 11 tankers carrying Iranian cargo that departed the Gulf of Oman outside the strait since April 13.
Maritime intelligence firm Windward said Iranian shipping traffic continued through deceptive practices, including falsified tracking data and voyages through Pakistani territorial waters.
Oil prices jump on supply fears
Separately, global oil prices surged on Friday, with Brent crude climbing above USD 106 a barrel as tensions between the United States and Iran intensified around the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns over energy supplies and shipping routes.
Markets reacted to reports of reciprocal seizures of commercial vessels by Washington and Tehran, while concerns also mounted over possible renewed mining activity in the narrow waterway through which a significant share of the world’s oil trade passes.
Pentagon weighs penalties for NATO allies
Reuters, citing a US official, reported that an internal Pentagon memo explored options to punish NATO members viewed as not supporting US operations against Iran. Measures reportedly included suspending Spain from the alliance and reviewing Washington’s position on Falkland Islands claims backed by United Kingdom (UK).
Iran grants Hormuz transit exemptions
Russian media quoted Iran’s ambassador to Moscow as saying Tehran had granted several countries, including Russia, exemptions from transit fees through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump ceasefire extension not indefinite
CNN, citing informed sources, reported that US President Donald Trump’s extension of the ceasefire with Iran would not be open-ended. The report said US forces were prepared to resume strikes if Tehran refused to restart talks, while Iran had yet to decide on participation in a second negotiating round expected in Islamabad.
Israeli military voices confusion over Trump signals
Israeli newspaper Maariv quoted an Israeli army officer as saying conflicting public remarks by Trump had created uncertainty over Washington’s next move.
US stockpile concerns raise Taiwan questions
The Wall Street Journal reported growing concern in American circles that the war with Iran was depleting US weapons stockpiles and could limit Washington’s ability to respond in defence of Taiwan if conflict erupted with China.
White House rejects shortage claims
White House spokeswoman Carolyn Leavitt told The New York Times that the United States maintained the world’s strongest military and held surplus weapons and ammunition, responding to claims that the Iran war had significantly reduced US stockpiles.
Trilateral summit speculation dismissed
US officials reportedly expressed optimism over a possible later meeting involving Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump, though Lebanese officials dismissed the prospect under current conditions.
Iran and Lebanon talks are separate tracks
The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, said negotiations to end the war with Iran and mediation between Israel and Lebanon were separate diplomatic tracks. Linking them, officials said, would imply Tehran held influence over sovereign Lebanese affairs.
Diesel supply crunch worsens
While attention remains on petrol prices, analysts warned a deeper disruption may be emerging in diesel supplies, the fuel widely used in transport, freight and heavy industry.
EU warns narrow Iran deal could backfire
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said talks with Iran should include nuclear experts and cover missiles, proxy groups, and cyber activities, warning that a weaker deal could create “a more dangerous Iran”.
US drafts new Hormuz battle plans
CNN reported that the US military was preparing new operational plans aimed at targeting Iran’s capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz.
Reports of renewed mining in Hormuz
Axios reported that this was the second time Iran had mined the Strait of Hormuz since the war began, adding it remained unclear whether mines from the first round had been fully detected and cleared.
LNG supplies to stay tight until 2027
International Energy Agency (IEA) said liquefied natural gas supplies were likely to remain strained through the end of 2027 because of disruptions and infrastructure damage caused by the US-Iran war.
