ISTANBUL

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.”

“The military, security and civilian institutions are operating with high readiness and coordination to ensure the safety of citizens under all circumstances,” he added.

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 said 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 said 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 said the the US-Israeli assault has killed more than 1,200 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and injured over 10,000 others.

*Writing by Rania Abushamala in Istanbul.