Water Crisis Amid Escalation
On July 18, an incident occurred in Iran's Hormozgan province that could have serious humanitarian consequences. According to Al Jazeera, Iranian officials accused the United States of launching a missile strike on a desalination plant in the Bonji area. While the exact scale of the damage is still being assessed, it is already known that approximately 20 villages were temporarily left without access to drinking water as a result of the attack.
This incident comes amid a seventh consecutive night of US airstrikes on Iranian territory. Washington states that the targets of these attacks are Iran's military and naval forces, with the campaign aimed at establishing control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Vulnerability of Regional Water Infrastructure
The attack on desalination plants in the region is not an isolated incident. The day before, Kuwait also accused Iran of attacking its desalination plant. This marked the second consecutive day that water infrastructure in the conflict zone has been subjected to shelling.
Desalination plants play a critical role in the Middle East, particularly in the Persian Gulf region, where natural fresh water resources are extremely limited. Desalination technology allows for the conversion of seawater into drinking water, providing water for tens of millions of people and sustaining livelihoods in areas often plagued by drought.
Harsh Warnings from Tehran
In response to the escalation, Tehran issued a stern warning to the Gulf states. According to CNN, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated on July 18 that any attack on Iran would be met with a proportional response.
An IRGC representative stated: "Since there is no international organization capable of stopping the violent actions of the US military, we have no choice but to follow the teachings of the Quran: 'If anyone attacks you, respond to them in kind'".
Furthermore, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned the Gulf states, emphasizing that those who allow US troops to use their territory to launch attacks on Iran "must be prepared for a harsh response".
New Claims of Military Action
Earlier, the IRGC announced the use of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles to attack the Al-Azrak airbase in Jordan. According to the Iranian side, the attack destroyed five US military aircraft, including two fighters and three attack aircraft. However, no concrete evidence to support these claims has been provided.
