Marine monitoring system

Also, the Chief of General Staff of the Kuwait Army revealed in a press release that they assessed national capabilities in the fields of energy, water and health; and reviewed the readiness of vital sectors to deal with emergencies and disasters. The statement confirmed that the discussions touched on environmental monitoring plans and dealing with air and sea crises, in addition to civil defense plans and mechanisms of support and coordination between the concerned authorities.

This meeting is within the framework of enhancing integration between State institutions and raising the level of coordination and preparedness to face potential risks. Chairman of Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) , Ambassador Khaled Al-Maghames affirmed the full commitment of KRCS to its national and humanitarian role amid the ongoing regional developments. Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Al- Maghames emphasized that KRCS stands at the forefront of the national emergency response efforts of Kuwait, prioritizing the safety and well-being of citizens while working closely with government bodies.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Kuwaiti citizens currently in Iran to contact the ministry on the number +965-159 or the Embassy of Kuwait in Tehran on number +98-9919202356 as soon as possible. In a statement on Tuesday, the ministry clarified that this step part of its efforts to facilitate the return of citizens currently in Iran to Kuwait, in line with the emergency plans developed to ensure their security and safety, in coordination with the concerned authorities.

Moreover, the GCC Ministerial Council on Monday condemned the Israeli aggression on Iran, which undermined the latter’s sovereignty and security and marks a blatant breach of international law and the UN Charter. In a statement issued following its virtual extraordinary meeting -- chaired by Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya, the council emphasized the need to return to the diplomatic track and reach a ceasefire to maintain regional security and stability.

It urged all parties to exert concerted efforts to calm down and take the diplomatic approach as an effective way of settling conflicts and exercising maximum self-restraint in order to spare the region and its people the risks of war. The council also stressed the significant role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in promoting preventive security and sounding the alarm about the impacts of targeting nuclear facilities due to relevant serious human and environmental perils. It called on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to shoulder its responsibilities by demanding an immediate cessation of this war and de-escalation, considering the serious risks posed to regional and international peace. Furthermore, the GCC Ministerial Council urged continuing US-Iranian negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program with Omani mediation. It also underlined the necessity of compliance with the basics and principles of the UN Charter and international law, good neighborliness, respect of State sovereignty, noninterference in internal affairs and resolution of disputes by peaceful means, rather than the use or threat of force. The council concluded by calling for safeguarding maritime security and safety of waterways in the region and addressing activities that threaten regional and international security and stability, including targeting commercial ships and threatening maritime shipping lanes, international trade and oil facilities in the GCC member countries.

In a related development, Egyptian Ambassador to Kuwait Osama Shaltout has affirmed the importance of the joint statement issued by 21 Arab and Islamic countries -- including Egypt and Kuwait -- on the recent military escalation in the region. He pointed out that the statement strongly condemned the Israeli attacks on Iranian territory, considering them a dangerous escalation and a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. He added that Egypt and the countries issuing the statement expressed their deep concern about the repercussions of this escalation on the security and stability of the region, and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue and diplomacy as the only means of settling disputes. He also underscored the importance of protecting nuclear facilities subject to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, as stated in the joint statement. He reiterated the call for a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction without exception, while emphasizing the need to respect freedom of navigation in international waterways and rejecting practices that jeopardize the security of navigation or global trade. He then confirmed the full support of Egypt for Arab and Islamic solidarity in the face of escalation, while praising the positions of sisterly countries, led by Kuwait, in supporting regional stability and joint action. In the meantime, Kuwait’s Permanent Representative at International Organizations in Vienna and Chairman of the Gulf Group Ambassador Talal Al-Fassam warned that the conflict spillover in the region will trigger dire consequences on regional and international peace. Al-Fassam gave the warning in a speech he delivered on behalf of the GCC during an emergency session of the IAEA Board of Governors regarding the Israeli aggression on Iran. He condemned the Israeli attacks on Iran, including several nuclear facilities, saying, “This attack comes at a very sensitive time, as international efforts to resume nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US are intensifying.”

He underlined the fact that this could derail the diplomatic process and ignite a wider conflict, which could have a serious impact on regional and international peace. He voiced extreme concern over this serious escalation that will have adverse effects on regional security and stability. He cautioned that such hostilities mark a serious violation of an IAEA member state’s sovereignty and a serious precedent that undermines international rules, mainly the principle of respect of a State’s sovereignty and preventing the use or threat of force. He also reaffirmed the GCC member countries’ unwavering commitment to support regional security and stability, while categorically rejecting any violation of the sovereignty of a State or the targeting of their nuclear facilities under any pretext.

The Iran-Israel conflict has shuttered airspace across the Middle East as the two bitter enemies launch attacks and reprisals at one another. The worsening security situation has seen foreigners scramble to evacuate. But with so much travel disruption in the region, it’s a tough task. Some governments are using Iran’s land borders to get their nationals out. Others are advising their citizens on how to leave voluntarily or stay safe until an official exit plan is in place.