Iran's foreign minister called on Kuwait to release four of their citizens after Kuwait detained them for allegedly attempting illegal entry, with Tehran insisting that the four entered Kuwaiti waters only due to a boat navigation system failure.
On 13 May 2026, Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, urged Kuwaiti authorities to release four Iranian citizens held on suspicion of attempting illegal entry, while Iran claimed Kuwait attacked their boat and detained their people.
"In a clear attempt to sow discord, Kuwait illegally attacked an Iranian vessel and detained four of our citizens in the Persian Gulf," Araghchi posted on the X platform on Wednesday. "This illegal action occurred near an island the US uses as a base to attack Iran."
"We demand the immediate release of our citizens and reserve the right to respond," the minister added, without addressing the allegations of attempted illegal entry.
Last Tuesday, Kuwaiti state media reported that authorities arrested four individuals identified as members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) who attempted illegal entry to "conduct hostile activities."
Kuwaiti media further reported that the group tried to enter Kuwait on 1 May using a fishing boat and clashed with Kuwaiti military forces.
Meanwhile, Iran denied these reports in a statement released by Tasnim News Agency, saying all four were "conducting routine maritime patrol duties" for the Iranian Coast Guard and entered Kuwaiti waters only because of a "navigation system failure."
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Source:cnn