A U.S. journalist was detained in Kuwait for publishing reports on the war in Iran

Ahmed Shehab-Eldin, a well-known American journalist of Kuwaiti origin, has been detained in Kuwait and charged with “spreading false information” and endangering national security. 

This was reported by the human rights organization Human Rights Watch and CNN, noting that the journalist stopped communicating on March 2 after arriving to visit relatives. The reason for his arrest was his social media posts regarding military operations in the region, although human rights activists emphasize that he was merely sharing materials that were already publicly available.

Shihab-Eldin’s detention occurred amid the implementation of new, strict laws in Kuwait that provide for lengthy prison terms for any criticism of military structures or the dissemination of information that allegedly undermines their authority. The Committee to Protect Journalists and other international institutions have already called on the country’s authorities to immediately drop all charges, emphasizing that such actions constitute the use of cybercrime legislation to suppress freedom of speech. At present, Kuwaiti officials are refraining from commenting on the situation involving the American citizen.

Iranian drones struck U.S. military satellite equipment and ammunition depots on Bubiyan Island in Kuwait. 

The IRGC announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and is threatening a “harsh response” to ships.