KUWAIT CITY — June 4, 2026 : CCTV footage released by Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) appears to confirm that an Iranian Shahed-136 loitering munition directly struck Terminal 1 (T1) of Kuwait International Airport, contradicting claims by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that the damage was caused by a failed U.S. Patriot interceptor.
The surveillance footage, recorded from multiple angles, shows a delta-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) approaching the airport from the east before impacting the terminal building. The drone's shape, flight profile, and terminal dive closely match the characteristics of the Shahed-136 loitering munition. The impact was followed by a large explosion, fire, and extensive structural damage to the terminal.
Investigators examining the site also recovered an MD550 piston engine from the debris inside Terminal 1. The engine is a known component of the Shahed-136 drone and has been repeatedly identified in previous investigations involving the Iranian-designed loitering munition.
The strike killed one Indian national and injured at least 63 people, including airport employees and passengers. Terminal 1 sustained significant damage, forcing the temporary suspension of flight operations and the diversion of several incoming aircraft. Kuwaiti authorities later resumed limited operations after conducting safety assessments.
Following the attack, the IRGC denied targeting Kuwait International Airport. Iranian officials stated that the destruction of the terminal was caused by a malfunctioning U.S.-made Patriot air defense interceptor that allegedly failed during an interception attempt and struck the airport.
However, Kuwaiti and U.S. officials rejected the explanation, pointing to the CCTV footage showing an inbound drone impacting the terminal and the recovery of Shahed-136 components from the scene. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) described the incident as a deliberate attack on civilian infrastructure and dismissed the IRGC's account of a Patriot missile malfunction.
The attack occurred amid renewed regional tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Gulf states. Kuwait has formally protested to Tehran and expelled two Iranian diplomats in response to the strike, while authorities continue repair work and investigations at the airport.
The release of the CCTV footage has become a key piece of evidence in the investigation, with the video and recovered MD550 engine strengthening Kuwait's position that Terminal 1 was struck directly by a Shahed-136 loitering munition rather than by a malfunctioning Patriot interceptor.
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