US closes its embassy in Kuwait amid Iran conflict

Source: Politico

03/05/2026 03:44 PM EST


The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City is closing as the war against Iran continues, the State Department announced Thursday. "While there have been no reported injuries to U.S. personnel, the safety of Americans abroad remains the highest priority of the U.S. Department of State," the department said in a statement.

The suspension of operations comes after six American soldiers were killed amid the wider conflict, including after an Iranian drone struck a port in Kuwait. Earlier this week, smoke could be seen rising from a reported Iranian strike in the area where the U.S. Embassy is located in Kuwait City.

The U.S. is urging any citizens still in Kuwait to leave the country. Those unable to safely leave should shelter in place, the State Department said.

Iran has targeted U.S. allies in the Gulf since the war began Saturday. The U.S. has also closed embassies in Riyadh and Lebanon as strikes continue and has urged “Americans to DEPART NOW” from countries including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/05/us-kuwait-embassy-closes-iran-00815119