KUWAIT, June 18 (KUNA) - Kuwait Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya affirmed Wednesday that Kuwait places the utmost priority on the safety of Kuwaiti citizens abroad, amid ongoing security developments in the region.
Al-Yahya said in a call with Al-Akhbar News Channel: "We are always prepared to maintain direct communication with our embassies and consular offices abroad, and to closely monitor the locations of Kuwaiti families and citizens in Iran." He pointed out that "no injuries have been reported among Kuwaiti citizens in Iran from last Friday until today, Wednesday." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is identifying the number of Kuwaiti citizens stranded in the Islamic Republic of Iran, as part of the state's emergency plan.
Efforts are ongoing to facilitate their return to the country as quickly as possible, he added.
The evacuation process is being carried out through the land border crossings between Iran and Iraq, where citizens are being transported to Kuwait.
Al-Yahya added "although the numbers are constantly changing, the (exact) count of citizens in Tehran is nearly finalized." He clarified that Kuwait, as the current Chair of the GCC, held a virtual meeting on Saturday with the foreign ministers of GCC member states, and condemned the Israeli occupation operations targeting Iran.
The statement reaffirmed the Council's continued efforts to urge Iran's return to the negotiating table, and called for an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation in the region, he added.
Kuwait is working within a GCC framework to monitor any potential radioactive indicators that might result from the escalation, noting that all indicators are so far normal.
He noted that Kuwait operates its consular mission only from Tehran, and coordinating with other GCC consuls in different regions within Iran to offer help for Gulf citizens. (end) nmo.ahs