Kuwait city: Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Monday ordered the raising of the readiness level to protect the country's vital facilities amid Iranian missile and drone strikes. In a televised speech carried by the state news agency KUNA, Mishal said the security situation in the country 'is being monitored closely.'

According to Anadolu Agency, the emir stated that the military, security, and civilian institutions are operating with high readiness and coordination to ensure the safety of citizens under all circumstances. The emir ordered the authorities 'to raise the readiness level, enhance precautionary measures and protect vital sites to ensure rapid response to any emergency and maintain public stability.'

Mishal mentioned that Kuwait has been subjected to 'a brutal attack by a neighboring Muslim country, which we consider a friend, even though we have not permitted the use of our land, airspace, or coasts for any military action against it, and we have repeatedly informed them of this through our diplomatic channels.'

He indicated that attacks targeting Kuwait's airspace, territory, civilian facilities, and infrastructure constitute a 'blatant violation of international norms and conventions and a flagrant assault on its sovereignty, security, and stability.' The emir did not name the country responsible for the attacks. However, several Arab countries, including Kuwait, have come under missile and drone strikes from Iran since Feb. 28, following a joint US-Israeli offensive on Tehran.

Iranian authorities reported that the US-Israeli assault has resulted in the death of more than 1,200 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and injured over 10,000 others.