Iran's president, foreign minister grieve loss of Kuwaiti emir

By Syed Zafar Mehdi

TEHRAN, Iran (AA) - Iran's president and foreign minister mourned the loss of Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, who died on Saturday after a brief illness.

In a statement issued by his office, President Ebrahim Raisi expressed his condolences to the new emir, government, and people of Kuwait on the loss of Sheikh Nawaf.

In a separate statement, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian extended condolences to the nation and the government of Kuwait.

He also wished "success, dignity, and security" for the government and people of the Arab country.

Sheikh Nawaf had served as emir of Kuwait for more than three years. He took the reins in September 2020 following the death of his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah.

He has been succeeded by Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, 83, Sheikh Nawaf’s half-brother.

Relations between Iran and Kuwait have improved under the Raisi government, despite the long-running dispute between the two countries over the Dorra/Arash gas field.