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Several American warplanes crashed in Kuwait on Monday morning but their crew survived, Kuwait’s defence ministry said, as Iran pressed on with a third day of strikes in the Gulf.

“Several US warplanes crashed this morning. Confirming that all crew members survived,” a defence ministry spokesman said in a statement, adding that the cause was under investigation.

“Authorities immediately initiated search and rescue operations, evacuating the crews and transporting them to a hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. He noted that their condition is stable,” the statement added.

Black smoke rose from the US embassy in Kuwait on Monday, an AFP correspondent saw, while US warplanes crashed without causing casualties, as Iran pressed on with a third day of retaliation in the Gulf.

A US base and a power station were also targeted, in what was the most dramatic escalation for the small Gulf country in decades, after the 2003 US invasion of Iraq and Baghdad’s attempt to take over Kuwait in 1990.

Blasts also rang out over the Gulf cities of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha and Manama as Iran targets America’s Gulf allies after the killing of its supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes.

READ ALSO: US Announces Destruction Of Iranian Force’s HQ, First US Deaths

The embassy in Kuwait did not announce it had been hit, but issued a security alert urging people to stay away.

“There is a continuing threat of missile and UAV (drone) attacks over Kuwait. Do not come to the embassy,” the statement said, adding: “US embassy personnel are sheltering in place.”

The Iranian attacks have so far killed five people in the Gulf, according to authorities, including one person in Kuwait.

The small, oil-rich country has a large US military presence stemming from the 1990 Iraqi invasion, which was repelled by a US-led coalition aiding the Kuwaiti army.

Worried residents

In northern Kuwait, smoke billowed over a power station, three witnesses told AFP.

An energy ministry spokeswoman said a fuel container at the station had been hit by shrapnel as air defences were intercepting drones, causing a limited blaze.

Separately, Iran’s army said it targeted the Ali Al Salem air base hosting US troops in Kuwait, as well as vessels in the Indian ocean, firing 15 cruise missiles.

Also on Monday, shrapnel fell at Mina Al Ahmadi refinery, one of Kuwait’s biggest, injuring two workers, but did not disrupt production, the Kuwait National Petroleum Company said.

Sirens sounded over Kuwait City on Monday to warn of incoming strikes. An unspecified number of drones was intercepted at dawn, the interior ministry said.

Dana Abbas, a Kuwait City resident and engineer, said she was worried about the escalation and had rushed to fill her car with petrol and stock up on basic necessities.

On Sunday, the UAE said fallen debris hit the facade of Etihad Towers, which houses diplomatic embassies include Israel’s, causing minor injuries to a woman and a child.

Iran’s unprecedented bombardment has hit military bases but also civilian infrastructure such as residential buildings, hotels, airports and sea ports, rattling a region long seen as a refuge from Middle East conflict.

The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, has defended the imposition of a curfew in the build-up to the council polls in the nation’s capital.

Speaking at a media chat on Monday in his office, the minister said he has the rights as the ‘governor of the FCT’ to declare curfew.

He told journalists that contrary to claims, the action was approved by President Bola Tinubu.

The former Rivers State governor stated that his movements during the February 21 area council elections did not influence the outcome of the polls.

“I have the rights, I am the governor of 3,000 polling units. For security, I have to find out what is going on. I don’t have to be told, I am not a candidate for the election,” the minister stated.

“Somebody has said I move about. How many polling units in FCT? FCT has not less than 3,000 polling units. Assuming I went to 10 polling units to check what was going on, how will it affect 3,000 polling units?

“As a candidate, I cannot move around. I must have my agents. As the Chief Security Officer. I have a right to have a view of what is going on and how does it affect, influence the election?”

He also blamed the opposition party of not preparing well for the exercise, saying the success recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) showed the performance of President Tinubu-led Federal Government.

Wike had come under attack by Nigerians and opposition for restricting of human and vehicular movement in the FCT from 8pm on Friday to 6pm on Saturday.

Among them is senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, who accused the minister of being autocratic.

Kingibe said Wike’s decision to impose a curfew across the FCT without broad consultation with critical stakeholders is “a direct affront to democratic governance and the constitutional rights of residents”.

Political economist and member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Prof. Pat Utomi, has criticised members of the National Assembly over their role in the amendment of the Electoral Act.

Last month, the National Assembly passed the Electoral Bill after an extended period of deliberations. President Bola Tinubu subsequently signed the bill into law. However, opposition parties have rejected the new legislation and are calling for an immediate review by the lawmakers.

Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television on Monday, Utomi accused federal lawmakers of pursuing self-interest politics aimed at retaining power.

READ ALSO: Opposition Parties Reject 2026 Electoral Act, Demand Fresh Amendment

He warned that such actions could erode the legitimacy of the legislature and plunge the country into anarchy.

“What we have has become a sham National Assembly. Because they are playing more to their interest of staying in power, they forget that they can lose legitimacy — the whole system can lose legitimacy — and that what they are doing is inviting anarchy.

“They had better save themselves and the system now. If it’s just for themselves, we can all sit back and say, ‘Okay, they will see the consequences.’ We have seen the history; we know what the consequences are — they will pay dearly for it.

“But their paying dearly could mean all of us ultimately pay dearly, because we could lose our democracy; we could lose our capacity for law, order, good governance, and progress in the country,” Utomi said.

The political economist also expressed concern over what he described as political games between the presidency and the Senate, warning that such actions could steer Nigeria in the wrong direction. He called for the return of the law to the National Assembly for reconsideration.

“I don’t think people who are playing these games between the Senate and the presidency quite understand where they are going and where this could lead Nigeria.

“This is why it is imperative, for progress in Nigeria, that they return that so-called law to the National Assembly and make a law that reflects what the people want.