Kuwait City [Kuwait], May 10 (ANI): The Kuwaiti Ministry of Defence said that a 'number of hostile drones' were detected in the nation's sovereign airspace during the early Sunday morning hours and 'dealt with in accordance with established procedures.'

It was the first such incident since the ceasefire between the US and Iran came into effect on April 8.

In an official statement released via the social media platform X, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, Brigadier General Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi, confirmed the detection of drones, and said 'the armed forces affirm their full readiness to maintain the security of the homeland and the safety of citizens and residents.'

https://x.com/KuwaitArmyGHQ/status/2053403097964097604?s=20

The detection of these drones coincides with a sharp escalation of maritime hostilities in the region. The British military also reported on Sunday that a vessel was set ablaze following a strike by an 'unknown projectile' situated off the Qatari coast.

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre, the assault ignited a 'small fire' aboard the bulk carrier, which was subsequently 'extinguished'.

The UKMTO further specified that the incident occurred approximately 23 nautical miles (43 kilometres) northeast of Doha, the capital of Qatar. No injuries or 'casualties' were reported amongst the crew.

The region has witnessed a surge in such tensions over the last week. On Friday, US forces targeted two Iranian oil tankers, with Washington claiming the vessels were attempting to circumvent its blockade of Iranian ports.

In response to the heightened friction, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy issued a warning, stating that any interference with its commercial ships or tankers would trigger a 'heavy assault' directed at enemy vessels and US regional installations.

The geopolitical climate remains volatile as US President Donald Trump has maintained his stance, reiterating threats to return to 'full-scale bombing' should Tehran refuse to negotiate an agreement to dismantle its nuclear programme and reopen the strategic waterway.

Since the onset of the conflict initiated by the US and Israel on February 28, Iran has largely obstructed the Strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping lane, leading to a significant 'spike in fuel prices' and instability across 'world markets'. (ANI)