Kuwait reaffirms its firm commitment to protecting diplomatic and consular missions, safeguarding their security and the safety of their representatives

This came in Kuwait’s statement delivered by Jasem Al-Ameri, Second Secretary of its Permanent Mission to the United Nations, before the Sixth Committee of the UN General Assembly during the discussion of agenda item 82, titled “Consideration of effective measures to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions.”

He clarified that the host State bears a special obligation under Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations to take all appropriate measures to protect mission premises against any intrusion or damage, and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity in any form.

He added that Article 29 of the Convention stipulates the inviolability of the person of a diplomatic agent and its protection, while Article 31 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations ensures the inviolability and protection of consular premises.

Al-Ameri stressed that obligations regarding respect for and protection of mission premises remain in force even in cases of severance of diplomatic or consular relations or armed conflicts, warning that any disputes concerning the activities of missions should be addressed through legal and diplomatic means, with full respect for the inviolability of their premises and the safety of their personnel.

He emphasized the necessity for States to bear international responsibility for internationally wrongful acts attributable to them, including halting violations, providing full reparation for resulting harm, and offering assurances of non-repetition.

In this context, Al-Ameri renewed Kuwait’s strongest condemnation of the blatant Iranian attack that targeted the premises of the United States Embassy in Kuwait using drones in March 2026, considering the attack a violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty and the inviolability of the mission premises, and a threat to the security of its staff, civilians, and surrounding civilian facilities, as well as a undermining of the rules ensuring the continuity of diplomatic relations between States.

He also expressed his country’s condemnation of Iranian attacks that targeted or endangered diplomatic and consular premises in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, particularly the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, affirming Kuwait’s full solidarity with sister States and its rejection of any actions targeting missions or turning them into arenas for confrontation or settling military scores.

Al-Ameri called on Iran to fully and immediately comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), to halt its attacks and threats against States in the region, including through its proxies, and to stop supporting armed groups that threaten the security and stability of these States, in respect of their sovereignty, the principles of non-interference in their internal affairs, and good-neighborly relations.

He affirmed that the protection of diplomatic missions is inseparable from the commitment to the prohibition of the threat or use of force as stipulated in paragraph 4 of Article 2 of the UN Charter.

He stressed that Kuwait retains its inherent right to self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter and in conformity with international law, including the requirements of necessity and proportionality.

Al-Ameri concluded Kuwait’s statement by emphasizing that safeguarding the inviolability of diplomatic missions and their representatives constitutes a legal obligation and a necessity for the continuation of dialogue among States, especially during crises. He reiterated the call for the good-faith implementation of international obligations, respect for State sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the peaceful settlement of disputes in a manner that preserves international peace and security and strengthens the rule of law in international relations.