PM Shehbaz, Kuwaiti crown prince discuss regional peace, condemn attacks

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday strongly condemned the attacks on Kuwait and expressed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Kuwaiti people in a telephone conversation with Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah, according to a statement from the PM's Office. The prime minister offered condolences for the loss of lives and prayed for the recovery of the injured. He also briefed the Kuwaiti leadership on Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The crown prince expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Iran and the United States, and endorsed the prime minister’s role in seeking regional peace and stability, the statement read. He thanked Pakistan for its support to Kuwait during the crisis and for the recent letter of solidarity from the prime minister. He also expressed a desire to visit Pakistan once the situation improves, it added. PM Shehbaz assured the crown prince that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the region. Drone attack targets Kuwait Kuwait said on Friday that its main commercial port, Shuwaikh Port, was targeted in a “hostile” drone attack, causing material damage but no injuries. The Kuwait Ports Authority said unmanned aerial vehicles struck the port early in the morning, damaging facilities. Emergency procedures were immediately activated in coordination with relevant agencies. Shuwaikh Port, located in an industrial area near Kuwait City, is the country’s primary maritime trade hub, handling cargo storage, distribution and commercial shipping. Earlier, firefighters battled a blaze at a giant oil refinery in Kuwait after a drone attack as Iran kept up a wave of strikes on its neighbours and vowed there was "no concern" about its missile production. Read More: Kuwait refinery hit as Iran says missile production 'no concern' Despite calls by European leaders on Thursday for an end to targeting Gulf energy infrastructure, Kuwait reported a fire at its Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, a day after a direct hit on Qatar's vital Ras Laffan facility. Iranian authorities had vowed to retaliate after an Israeli strike on Wednesday damaged its South Pars gas field, which draws on the world's biggest known gas reserve and is vital for domestic supplies. The incident comes amid escalating regional tensions following a joint US-Israeli offensive on Iran launched February 28. Iran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and other countries in the region, including those hosting US military assets, causing casualties and infrastructure damage and disrupting markets and aviation.