ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraq on Friday condemned missile and drone attacks that targeted neighboring Kuwait the day prior, with the latter country having blamed Iran for the strikes that it said posed a direct threat to civilians and critical infrastructure.

In a statement, the Iraqi foreign ministry said it rejected “all actions that would threaten the security and stability of countries in the region,” stressing the importance of avoiding escalation and relying on dialogue and diplomatic means to address ongoing crises.

The ministry also voiced support for regional and international efforts aimed at preventing the expansion of violence and reaching peaceful solutions that preserve security and stability across the region.

The statement came after Kuwait said it had been targeted by Iranian missiles and drones, while its air defense systems intercepted the incoming threats.

Kuwait’s foreign ministry on Thursday strongly condemned what it described as “criminal Iranian attacks targeting Kuwaiti territory with missiles and drones,” calling them a “serious escalation and a flagrant violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The ministry said the attacks had posed a direct threat to civilians and critical infrastructure and had undermined ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional and international actors to de-escalate tensions.

The Gulf state demanded that Iran immediately halt the attacks and said Tehran bore “full responsibility” for the assault, which it described as a violation of international law, the UN Charter, and UN Security Council Resolution 2817 of 2026.

Kuwait also said it reserved the right to take all necessary measures to protect its territory and vital facilities, citing its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Kuwait’s General Staff of the Army said Saturday that air defense systems had intercepted hostile missile and drone attacks, noting that explosions heard by residents had resulted from interception operations.

The small state came under multiple attacks during the US-Israeli war on Iran, with pro-Iran factions within Iraq having supplemented Iranian strikes with their own drone and missile attacks on Gulf countries.

Reuters reported in May that Kuwait conducted at least two retaliatory strikes on such groups on Iraqi soil during the conflict in retaliation, including bombing a Kataib Hezbollah hub allegedly used for drone operations.