American service members who survived an Iranian strike on US military facilities in Kuwait have accused their commanders of underestimating the threat to the port of Ash-Shuwaikh. The Washington Post reported the claims on Thursday, July 9, citing members of the US Armed Forces.
According to the newspaper, intelligence officials had warned in advance that the port could become one of Tehran’s primary targets. Despite reports that the facility lacked adequate protection, US commanders deployed regular army units there.
Some soldiers reportedly tried to address security weaknesses and strengthen the port’s defenses on their own. Those efforts were eventually abandoned because the personnel involved did not have the resources required to complete the work.
The service members also alleged that senior officers repeatedly ordered personnel to leave shelters and resume their duties while air raid alerts were still in effect.
An internal review of the incident is not expected to result in disciplinary action against those responsible. One source cited by The Washington Post said the port had several layers of protection against missiles and drones.
US military officials have rejected the soldiers’ accusations, maintaining that the facility had been properly fortified.
Iran struck American military infrastructure in Kuwait on March 1, killing six service members. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth later said the attack had hit a tactical operations center.
Hegseth initially described the site as a well-protected command post and said Tehran had used powerful weapons in the strike. CBS News later reported, citing its own sources, that the operations center had been housed in a temporary structure offering little protection.