WORLD NEWS: Towards a water war? Gulf countries at high risk after Iran threats
Sources confirm that the following story has emerged from the international scene.
Trump Postpones Strikes on Iran, Tehran Threatens Energy and Water Infrastructure
After issuing a two-day ultimatum over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday, March 23, that American strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure would be postponed “for five days.” Tehran, however, has warned that any U.S. attack would prompt a swift and brutal retaliation targeting critical infrastructure in the Persian Gulf.
Water and Energy at Risk
Iran has explicitly threatened energy facilities and water desalination plants, vital for nearly 100 million people in the Gulf region. Desalination is crucial due to scarce natural freshwater sources: in the UAE, 42% of drinking water comes from desalination; in Kuwait, 90%; Oman 86%; and Saudi Arabia 70%. Damage to these facilities could trigger severe humanitarian crises, mass population displacements, and economic disruptions.
Experts warn that such attacks could cause months-long blackouts, with national crises in multiple Gulf states. Water economist Esther Crauser-Delbourg stated that prolonged disruptions could lead to rationing, exodus from major cities, and knock-on effects on tourism, industry, and data centers.
Recent Escalations
Tensions have already flared: on March 8, an Iranian drone damaged a desalination station in Bahrain, allegedly in retaliation for a U.S. strike on an Iranian plant. Companies such as Veolia have since reinforced security, deploying missile batteries and enhancing perimeter controls at major facilities.
Potential Targets Published
Iranian state media published lists of energy targets across the region, including Israel’s Orot Rabin and Rutenberg power plants, and sites in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that attacks on Iran’s electrical infrastructure would provoke “irreversible” retaliation, plunging the region into darkness.
The situation underscores the fragile balance in the Middle East, where energy and water infrastructure are both strategic and vulnerable.
Analysis and Perspective:
This report highlights significant developments in the international landscape that could reshape diplomatic relations in the coming weeks.
This is part of a broader trend that has been reshaping the geopolitical landscape in recent months.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story continues to unfold.
Source: This article was originally published in another language by France 24 – Infos, news & actualités – L’information internationale en direct and has been translated and adapted for our global English-speaking audience. Read the original article here.