According to Kuwaiti authorities, the men tried to infiltrate Bubiyan Island aboard a fishing boat on May 1 and were allegedly preparing to commit “hostile acts” inside the Gulf state.
Why Bubiyan Island Matters
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The largest island of Kuwait, located in the northern Gulf near Iraq and Iran
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Home of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project, one of Kuwait’s largest strategic infrastructure developments
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The port is linked to China’s “Belt and Road” initiative and Kuwait’s Vision 2035 plans
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Designed to become a major regional trade and logistics hub connecting Gulf shipping routes
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It is located near the Strait of Hormuz and the main sea lanes of the Gulf
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It is seen as strategically sensitive due to its proximity to Iran and Iraq
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Kuwait says suspected IRGC operatives tried to infiltrate the island by sea
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The island and port project were previously targeted during the regional conflict
A senior associate editor with more than 30 years in the media, Stephen NR curates, edits and publishes impactful stories for Gulf News – both in print and online – focusing on Middle East politics, student affairs and commentators on global topics. Stephen has spent most of his career in journalism, working behind the scenes – forming headlines, editing copy and putting together newspaper pages with precision. For the past several years, he has brought the same dedication to Gulf News’ digital team, where he curates stories, crafts explainers and helps keep both online and print publications sharp and engaging.
