Moreover, the Union of Cooperative Societies issued a circular to all cooperative societies, underscoring the need to ensure the readiness of the stockpile. The newspaper obtained a copy of the circular, stating that in the context of ensuring the availability of essential commodities and avoiding shortages or delays in supply; the union stresses the importance of taking all the necessary measures to enhance the strategic stock of goods and monitor supply regularly, given the current circumstances in the region.

It indicated that in the event of obstacles related to supply -- shortage of items or delays from suppliers, the cooperatives should immediately contact the union to ensure prompt resolution and coordination with the relevant authorities. It affirmed that the union is fully prepared to support cooperatives and provide all the required facilities to guarantee the continuity of services and to meet the needs of consumers. In addition, Director General of the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) Salem Al-Hai, along with the officials at the authority, reviewed the emergency plans and precautionary measures prepared by various sectors to deal with any emergency. This is in line with the commitment of the authority to guarantee national preparedness for emergency situations.

Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar held on Sunday a meeting to follow up on the implementation of the emergency plan and ensure the security and stability of the telecommunications system in Kuwait. In a statement, Al-Omar explained to KUNA that this meeting comes as a continuation of a series of coordination meetings that were launched during the past days and in order to enhance national readiness in light of the current regional developments. Ensuring the continuity of telecommunications services is a top priority at the current stage, said Al- Omar, adding that they are working to boost coordination between government agencies, service providers and local and international telecommunications companies to ensure the country’s readiness for emergencies. For his part, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Communications Eng. Mishal Al-Zaid told KUNA that the ministry has raised its technical and field readiness, and is following up on the performance of local network and fixed communication lines in cooperation with partners. For his part, Acting Chairman of the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) Sheikh Athbi Jaber Al-Sabah, explained in a similar statement to KUNA that CITRA has taken proactive technical measures, such as coordination with international service providers to secure alternative routes and activate Internet Exchange Points (IX) inside Kuwait. In turn, Acting Director of Central Agency for Information Technology Najat Ibrahim confirmed to KUNA that the agency is working to ensure the integration of government systems, noting that there are operational plans ready to ensure the continuity of digital government services in various circumstances.

Representatives from the national telecommunications companies Zain, Ooredoo, stc and Virgin Mobile participated in the meeting, affirming full readiness to deal with various possible scenarios. Furthermore, the Supreme Defense Council -- in a meeting held at Bayan Palace and presided over by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on Saturday evening -- affirmed that all authorities are providing basic services and needs, as well as serving the public to maintain security and stability. The council members discussed the latest regional developments; while the ministers and senior State officials briefed the council about the precautionary measures being taken by the competent authorities to deal with all possibilities at the security level. HH the Prime Minister also presided over an urgent meeting held Sunday morning to deliberate on regional developments. Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya called Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah Al-Nahyan on Saturday to discuss the situation in the region. In a press statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that the two top diplomats talked about the Israeli aggression on Iran and its ramifications regionally and globally, as well as ways to boost coordination and efforts to maintain security and stability in the region. On the same day,

Al-Yahya discussed the developments in the Middle East with Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Al-Budaiwi. Initiated by Al-Yahya, the discussion centered on the diplomatic efforts to coordinate the stances of the GCC member countries towards such developments and restore peace and security in the region. In related news, the British Embassy has confirmed that there is no travel warning for the State of Kuwait. In a clarification statement released on Sunday; the Embassy stressed that the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advisory for Kuwait and a number of other countries in the region last Friday, and it did not issue a travel warning for Kuwait. It pointed out that the update includes a warning, stating “the continued hostilities in the region -- between Israel and Iran -- could lead to a rapid escalation and pose wider security risks in the region.” It then urged its citizens to monitor local and international media and adhere to the instructions of local authorities. The Office advised citizens and residents to exercise caution when planning to travel, particularly in light of the volatile security situation in the region.

It indicated that the ongoing clashes between Israel and Iran could witness a sudden escalation that poses a broader threat to the security and stability of the region. It emphasized that “no trip can be guaranteed to be completely safe,” urging everyone to read all recommendations and guidance published on the FCDO website before making a travel decision. It added those wishing to travel should subscribe to email alerts or follow the official accounts of FCDO on X, Facebook and Instagram; indicating that these guidelines aim to enable travelers to make informed decisions that guarantee their safety in light of the current circumstances in the region. On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi cautioned against expanding the ongoing conflict into the Gulf region, emphasizing that Tehran has no intention of widening the war.

Addressing ambassadors and heads of foreign diplomatic missions in Tehran, Araghchi described any attempt to drag the conflict into the Gulf as a “grave strategic mistake.” He suggested that the recent attack on Asaluyeh may have been a deliberate effort to escalate the conflict beyond Iran’s borders. Araghchi highlighted the Gulf’s strategic sensitivity, warning that any military escalation in the region would have global repercussions. He called on the international community to act swiftly to halt what he described as violations and crimes. The minister reiterated that Iran does not seek to expand the conflict to other countries unless forced to do so. He clarified that Iran’s response to Israeli aggression was an act of self-defense, stating, “We did not start this war, but we reserve the legitimate right to defend ourselves as long as the aggression continues.” Araghchi noted that Iran initially targeted only military sites, but retaliated against economic targets after Israeli strikes hit economic facilities in Tehran and Bushehr, including an oil refinery. He condemned the attack on Asaluyeh in Bushehr as a “blatant violation and a very dangerous step.” He also stressed that targeting nuclear facilities crosses a red line and is strictly prohibited under any circumstances. Israel unleashed airstrikes across Iran for a third day on Sunday and threatened even greater force as some Iranian missiles evaded Israeli air defenses to strike buildings in the heart of the country. Planned talks on Iran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program, which could provide an off-ramp, were canceled. The region braced for a protracted conflict after Israel’s surprise bombardment of Iran’s nuclear and military sites on Friday killed several top generals and nuclear scientists. Neither side showed any sign of backing down. Iran said Israel struck two oil refineries, raising the prospect of a broader assault on Iran’s heavily sanctioned energy industry that could affect global markets. The Israeli military, in a social media post, warned Iranians to evacuate arms factories, signaling a further widening of the campaign. Israel, the sole though undeclared nuclear-armed state in the Middle East, said it launched the attack to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. The two countries have been adversaries for decades. Explosions shook Iran’s capital, Tehran, at around noon and again around 3:30 p.m.

Semiofficial news agencies close to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard reported one strike in the area of Vali-e Asr Square downtown and another in a neighborhood named for the air force, which is headquartered there. Sirens went off across much of Israel again around 4 p.m., warning of what would be Iran’s first daytime assault since the fighting began. There were no immediate reports of casualties. U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed full support for Israel’s actions while warning Iran that it can avoid further destruction only by agreeing to a new nuclear deal. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that if Israel’s strikes on Iran stop, then “our responses will also stop.” He said the United States “is a partner in these attacks and must take responsibility.” Iran’s U.N. ambassador said Saturday that 78 people had been killed and more than 320 wounded. There has been no official update since then. Israel said 13 people have been killed and more than 360 wounded. Iran has fired over 270 missiles, 22 of which made impact, according to Israeli figures. The country’s main international airport and airspace remained closed for a third day. Israeli strikes targeted Iran’s Defense Ministry early Sunday after hitting air defenses, military bases and sites associated with its nuclear program. The killing of several top generals and nuclear scientists in targeted strikes indicated that Israeli intelligence has penetrated Iran at the highest levels. Araghchi said Israel had targeted an oil refinery near Tehran and another in a province on the Persian Gulf. He said Iran had targeted “economic” sites in Israel, without elaborating. Semiofficial Iranian news agencies reported that an Israeli drone strike caused a “strong explosion” at an Iranian natural gas processing plant. The extent of damage at the South Pars natural gas field was not immediately clear. Such sites have air defense systems around them, which Israel has been targeting. In a sign that Iran expects Israeli strikes to continue, state television reported that metro stations and mosques would be made available as bomb shelters beginning on Sunday night. In Israel, at least six people, including a 10-year-old and a 9-year-old, were killed when a missile hit an apartment building in Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv. Daniel Hadad, a local police commander, said 180 people were wounded and seven were missing. An Associated Press reporter saw streets lined with damaged or destroyed buildings, bombed-out cars and shards of glass. Some people could be seen leaving with suitcases.

Another four people, including a 13-year-old, were killed and 24 wounded when a missile struck a building in the Arab town of Tamra in northern Israel. A strike on the central city of Rehovot wounded 42. The Weizmann Institute of Science, an important center for research in Rehovot, reported “many hits to buildings on the campus.” It said no one was harmed. An oil refinery was also damaged in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, according to the firm operating it, which said no one was wounded. Israel has sophisticated, multitiered air defenses that can detect and intercept missiles fired at populated areas or key infrastructure, but officials acknowledge it is imperfect. World leaders made urgent calls to de-escalate. The attack on nuclear sites set a “dangerous precedent,” China’s foreign minister said Saturday. The region is already on edge as Israel seeks to annihilate Hamas, an Iranian ally, in the Gaza Strip, where war still rages after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has brushed off such calls, saying Israel’s strikes so far are “nothing compared to what they will feel under the sway of our forces in the coming days.” Iran has always said its nuclear program was peaceful, and the U.S. and others have assessed it has not pursued a weapon since 2003. But it has enriched ever larger stockpiles of uranium to near weapons-grade levels in recent years and was believed to have been able to develop multiple weapons within months if it chose to do so. The U.N.’s atomic watchdog censured Iran last week. A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive nuclear talks, said Washington remained committed to them and hoped the Iranians would return to the table.