Kuwait's Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday that four members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were captured earlier this month after trying to infiltrate Bubiyan Island, Kuwait's largest island.
According to the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior, the four individuals, two of whom identified themselves as Naval Colonels, were reportedly tasked with carrying out hostile operations within Kuwaiti territory.
The clash, wherein the armed Revolutionary Guardsmen attempted to infiltrate the island via a fishing vessel, resulted in the injury of a member of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces.
The island is host to major civilian and military installations, including ports, power plants, and substations.
In its statement, the foreign ministry condemned the IRGC's actions, decrying them as a hostile infringement upon their sovereign territory, while demanding that the Islamic Republic of Iran "immediately and unconditionally halt its illegitimate hostile acts."
"The State of Kuwait reserves its full and inherent right to self-defense in accordance with Article (51) of the Charter of the United Nations, and to take any measures it deems appropriate to defend its sovereignty and protect its people and residents on its territory," the announcement says.
The incident raises concerns about further escalation in the Gulf
The incident raises concerns about further escalation in the Gulf, as the Kuwaiti Navy and Coast Guard were reportedly put on high alert.
Two additional members of the infiltrating force have reportedly evaded capture.
Iran's foreign ministry condemned the arrests, saying the individuals were on a maritime patrol and entered the Gulf country's territorial waters due to a "disruption in their navigation."
The ministry rejected Kuwait's statements saying that Iran was planning "hostile actions" against the Gulf country.
Reuters contributed to this report.