Kuwait: Force Majeure Declared on Oil Shipments Amid Hormuz Blockade

20 April 2026: Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) has declared force majeure on crude oil and refined product exports, citing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as making it impossible to meet contractual obligations.

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation has declared force majeure on certain oil shipments following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

The declaration was issued after shipping routes were impacted by escalating regional conditions, preventing the fulfilment of contractual delivery obligations. Force majeure clauses have been invoked to suspend performance under affected supply contracts due to circumstances beyond operational control.

The measure applies to export agreements involving crude oil shipments, allowing Kuwait to temporarily halt deliveries without breaching contractual obligations.

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Kuwait: Banks Resume Full Operations Nationwide

16 April 2026: The Kuwait Banking Association has confirmed that banks across the country are now operating at full capacity again. The announcement comes during a period of relative stability in Kuwait, following a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.

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Kuwait: New Decree Tightens Citizenship Rules and Expands Revocation Powers

Arab Times, 13 April 2026: Kuwait has enacted Kuwait Decree-Law No. 52/2026, amending its Citizenship Law under Kuwait Emiri Decree No. 15/1959 On Kuwait Nationality Law to tighten nationality rules, expand revocation authorities, and bolster state control over naturalisation.

Kuwait Decree-Law No. 52/2026 was published in the Official Gazette and is immediately effective. It replaces key provisions and removes outdated sections of the existing law, providing a comprehensive update to the nationality framework.

Key reforms include:

• Revised eligibility: Citizenship by descent is confirmed for anyone born to a Kuwaiti father, regardless of birthplace. Eligibility definitions for those of Kuwaiti origin (pre‑1920) have been refined.
• Naturalisation rules revamped: Foreign spouses will no longer automatically acquire citizenship; children of naturalised parents are now classified as naturalised and may opt for nationality at adulthood.
• Women’s nationality rights: Kuwaiti women retain nationality if they marry foreigners, unless they voluntarily renounce it. Special provisions now allow children of Kuwaiti mothers to acquire nationality temporarily.
• Strengthened revocation and withdrawal: Citizenship may be lost for voluntarily acquiring foreign nationality, fraud, criminal conduct, disloyalty, or service to hostile states. Restoration is permitted under specified conditions including residency and renunciation requirements.
• Enforcement tools: Minister of Interior gains expanded authority to decide nationality issues, including for children born to Kuwaiti mothers. Use of scientific evidence such as DNA and biometrics is now authorised. Penalties for false claims include up to 3 years’ imprisonment and KD 3,000 fine, increasing to 7 years and KD 5,000 for deliberate fraud.

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Kuwait: New Cybersecurity Controls Strengthen National Digital Protection

Kuwait Times, 6 April 2026: Kuwait has introduced new national cybersecurity controls aimed at strengthening digital protection, improving institutional cyber maturity, and reinforcing the security of the country’s digital infrastructure.

The controls were issued after authorities had assessed growing cyber risks linked to digital transformation and increased reliance on online systems. Prior to the reform, cybersecurity measures across institutions had varied in scope and maturity, creating uneven levels of protection and resilience against cyber threats.

Under the new framework, the National Cybersecurity Center established a unified national baseline of mandatory cybersecurity requirements. These controls require relevant entities to secure their systems, data, services, and technical assets, while enhancing readiness to detect, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents. The framework also clarified institutional responsibilities, promoting accountability and consistent implementation across sectors.

The controls were designed around internationally recognised cybersecurity best practices, while taking Kuwait’s regulatory and operational environment into account. Authorities stated that the measures would improve business continuity, safeguard critical services, and raise confidence in the digital environment. They are also expected to improve Kuwait’s position in global cybersecurity indices by aligning national practices with international benchmarks.

The National Cybersecurity Center indicated that the controls would support proactive risk management and ongoing monitoring of digital assets. Over time, the framework is expected to reduce systemic cyber vulnerabilities, protect sensitive information, and contribute to a more secure and stable national cyberspace as digitalisation continues across government and industry.

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Kuwait: Central bank moves to shield banks amid regional conflict

6 April 2026: The Kuwaiti Central Bank has adopted proactive regulatory and liquidity measures to support local banks and safeguard financial stability amid the risk of escalation in the ongoing regional war.

The Central Bank of Kuwait has taken a series of precautionary decisions aimed at preparing the banking sector for potential disruptions arising from the continuing conflict in the region. The measures have been adopted in anticipation of worst‑case geopolitical scenarios, with a view to maintaining financial stability and ensuring uninterrupted banking services across the country.

The Central Bank has  activated macro‑prudential policy tools and issued revised regulatory instructions related to liquidity and capital adequacy requirements. These include temporary easing of liquidity standards, allowing banks greater operational flexibility while preserving strong regulatory buffers. The Central Bank has stressed that Kuwaiti banks remain financially sound, as liquidity and capital ratios already exceeded international regulatory benchmarks.

The measures are designed to enhance banks’ capacity to continue lending, support economic activity, and absorb potential shocks without undermining depositor confidence or system integrity. The moves build on the central bank’s long‑standing prudential approach and reflect its assessment that proactive intervention is preferable to reactive crisis management.

The central bank has confirmed it is closely monitoring geopolitical developments, financial markets, and economic indicators on a continuous basis. It has added additional measures could be taken if required to protect monetary stability, payment systems, and public confidence in Kuwait’s banking sector.

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Kuwait: National Emergency System Activated

Times Kuwait, 26 March 2026: Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior activated a national early‑warning system to deliver emergency alerts to the public through smart devices in response to current security and safety conditions.

The Ministry has conducted field assessments before activating the system, which sends alerts based on real‑time security indicators continuously monitored by the relevant authorities. The alerts are intended to support rapid preventive action, enabling authorities to protect the public during emergencies.

The Ministry instructed residents to take the messages seriously, immediately move to safe areas upon receiving an alert, and avoid windows and open spaces. It warned against going out to observe or photograph incident sites, emphasising that such actions can expose individuals to danger and may lead to legal consequences. Community awareness and strict adherence to official guidance were described as essential pillars in maintaining public safety.

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Kuwait: Social Insurance Authority Revises Public Service Hours

Times Kuwait, 29 March 2026: Kuwait’s Public Institution for Social Security (PIFSS) has rescheduled its official visiting hours, introducing new timings intended to regulate public access while encouraging greater reliance on digital government services.

Under the revised arrangement, PIFSS will now receive visitors from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon, while telephone enquiries will remain available via the unified hotline 114 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. The authority confirmed that the changes took effect following an internal administrative decision issued on Saturday.

PIFSS stated that all core transactions, certificates, and beneficiary services had already been made available electronically through its official website, the “Thakher” mobile application, and the government’s unified services platform “Sahel”. The revised visiting hours were therefore introduced to reduce footfall at service centres and streamline administrative processes.

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Kuwait: Authorities Warn Against Bribery and Illegal Photography

Times Kuwait, 29 March 2026: Kuwaiti authorities have issued a public legal warning against accepting money or bribes in exchange for providing information or taking unauthorised photographs, stressing that such conduct constitutes a serious criminal offence that may endanger national security.

The warning, published in multiple languages to reach the expatriate community, stated that receiving payment to share information or capture images of locations inside Kuwait without permission was strictly prohibited. Officials emphasised that these actions were not minor violations but offences that could compromise sensitive sites and state security interests.

Authorities confirmed that anyone found engaging in such activities will face immediate legal action under applicable laws. Potential consequences include criminal prosecution, severe penalties, and deportation for non‑citizens. The statement made clear that zero tolerance would be shown toward individuals who knowingly cooperate in the unlawful collection or transmission of information.

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