Iran launched strikes against her Gulf neighbors on Friday, including a power plant and a desalination facility in Kuwait. An unknown number of Kuwaiti soldiers were also injured in the attacks.
The vast majority—90%—of Kuwait’s drinking water comes from desalination, a process that involves removing salt from seawater.
Other Gulf nations rely on desalination to a similar extent.
Eight-six percent of Oman’s drinking water and 70% of Saudi Arabia’s comes from desalination.
The New York Post notes, “Hundreds of desalination plants sit along the Persian Gulf coast, putting systems that supply water to millions within range of Iranian missile or drone strikes. Many desalination plants are in the same facilities as power stations, meaning attacks on electrical infrastructure could also hinder water production.”
Iran has targeted desalination plants in the region since the early days of the current war, which began at the end of February.
Iran has also accused the US of targeting desalination plants on Qeshm Island, a charge the US has not acknowledged.
In 2010, CIA analysts concluded that attacks on desalination plants could trigger crises in Gulf states that last months if critical infrastructure is destroyed.
More than 90% of the entire region’s drinking water comes from just 56 plants, and “each of these critical plants is extremely vulnerable to sabotage or military action.”
One Response
Since Israel/USA caused this war, Iran has the right to hit US facilities and allies.