Historically, Kuwait had
close political, economic, and cultural ties to Iran. In 1961, Kuwait became an independent country gaining its sovereignty. In the 1980s, Kuwait sided with
Iraq during the
IranâIraq War.[4] As for the result, IranianâKuwaiti relations were damaged and Iran had placed Kuwaiti ships, including tankers, under attack.[5] Kuwait's relations with Iran later improved when Iran denounced Iraq for invading Kuwait in the
Gulf War at 1991.[6][3]
Recent history
Iran's foreign policy shifted with the election of more hardline Ahmadinejad in 2005, negatively influenced its relationship with the international community. Things improved when Hassan Rouhani came to power in 2013. In 2014, Kuwait Foreign Undersecretary
Khaled Al-Jarallah said its keen on developing "excellent and historical" relationship with Iran.[7][8]
In 2018, Kuwait's announced plans for economic development, such as the "
Silk City project", includes developing mutually beneficial economic ties with Iran (similar to Iran's current economic ties with
Dubai of the
United Arab Emirates).[10][4]
During the outbreak of the
COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Kuwait provided US$10 million in humanitarian aid to Iran.[11][12]
On March 26, 2022, Iran said that an agreement signed this week by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to develop the Durra gas field was "illegal" since Tehran has a stake in the field and must be included in any move to operate and develop it.[13]
On April 13, 2022, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait invited Iran to conduct talks on Wednesday to define the eastern border of a combined, energy-rich offshore area, according to the Saudi state news agency SPA.[14]
On July 27, 2023, Kuwait's Oil minister
Saad Al Barrak announced plans to begin drilling for gas without first signing an agreement with Iran.[15]
On August 3, 2023, In an escalating feud with Iran, Kuwait along with Saudi Arabia announced that they have âexclusive ownershipâ of the natural resources in the disputed Durra offshore gas field. Iranian Oil Minister
Javad Owji stressed that Tehran will pursue its rights over the Durra-Arash gas field if there is âno willingnessâ from the other side to âreach an understanding.â[15] The same day Kuwaiti Foreign Minister
Salem Abdullah al-Jaber Al-Sabah received an official invite to Iran during a meeting with Mohammad Totonchi, the Gulf stateâs newly appointed Iranian ambassador. It is expected that the upcoming visit will center around de-escalating tensions over the gas field.[16][17]
Ajam citizens
'Ajam of Kuwait (Persians of Kuwait)[18][19] are Kuwaiti citizens of
Iranian origin.[20][21] Historically, Persian ports provided most of Kuwait's economic needs.[22] Marafi Behbahani was one of the first Iranian merchants to settle in Kuwait in the 18th century.[23]