As conflict intensifies in the Persian Gulf, a serious threat looms over its water supply. Recent attacks, including missile strikes, have raised alarms about the vulnerability of desalination plants, which provide essential drinking water to millions. While oil production gets a lot of attention, it’s water that may face the most significant risk in this arid, energy-rich region.
On Sunday, Bahrain accused Iran of damaging its desalination facility. Earlier, Iran claimed a U.S. airstrike harmed an Iranian plant. The Persian Gulf is home to hundreds of desalination plants. Many cities depend on these systems, which turn seawater into fresh water through methods like reverse osmosis. For example, about 90% of Kuwait’s drinking water comes from desalination, along with 86% in Oman and 70% in Saudi Arabia. These technologies are crucial for sustaining lush hotels, industries, and urban populations in an otherwise dry environment.
Many may prioritize concerns about rising energy prices due to the ongoing conflict, as the Gulf produces about a third of the world’s crude oil. However, if key desalination plants are targeted, large cities could run out of water in just days. This concern was echoed by Michael Christopher Low, director at the University of Utah, who emphasized that while Gulf states are often seen as “petrostates,” they are also “saltwater kingdoms” reliant on human-made systems for freshwater. The technological advances have allowed these nations to thrive but have also created new vulnerabilities.
Recent hostilities have brought the war dangerously close to vital desalination facilities. For instance, an Iranian strike landed just miles from Dubai’s major desalination plant. Disruptions in electricity supplies can further damage water production, as many Gulf desalination plants are connected to power stations. David Michel, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that attacks on electrical infrastructure can significantly affect water availability.
Historically, such vulnerabilities are not new. A 2010 CIA analysis warned that assaults on desalination facilities could lead to national crises across the Gulf. Over 90% of the region’s desalinated water comes from just 56 plants, making them incredibly susceptible to sabotage. A leaked 2008 diplomatic cable warned that Riyadh would have to evacuate within a week if key desalination facilities were damaged.
Experts also express concern about climate change complicating the Middle East’s water issues. As warming oceans increase the risk of severe cyclones, the existing infrastructure could face overwhelming challenges. Desalination is also energy-intensive, contributing around 500 to 850 million tons of carbon emissions each year, comparable to emissions from the global aviation sector. Moreover, the process generates byproducts like highly concentrated brine, which can harm marine life when discharged back into the ocean.
In the past, during Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, military actions severely damaged power stations and desalination plants. That triggered a water crisis from which Kuwait took years to fully recover. Today, the Houthi rebels from Yemen have also targeted Saudi water facilities, which shows that the threat remains very real.
Iran isn’t exempt. The nation faces its own severe water crisis, with reservoirs in Tehran reported to be at dangerously low levels. Unlike the Gulf states, Iran still relies largely on its rivers and aquifers. Plans to expand desalination face significant challenges due to infrastructure and energy costs. Cullinane from Global Water Intelligence noted the urgency, indicating that conditions this summer could be dire if the conflict escalates further.
The broader implications of this situation extend beyond regional boundaries. Attacks on civilian water infrastructure breach international humanitarian laws, such as the Geneva Conventions, which protect essential services. As military conflicts rage and tensions rise, civilians may find themselves caught in a perfect storm of water shortages and rising costs, an unsettling reminder of the intricate link between politics and essential resources.
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Iran war, Persian Gulf, Production facilities, War and unrest, General news, Manufacturing sector, Energy industry, Iran government, Water quality, Drones, Storms, Michael Christopher Low, Business, Iran, Drone surveillance and warfare, Military technology, Coastlines and beaches, Abbas Araghchi, Saudi Arabia government, Climate and environment, Masoud Pezeshkian, United States government, Annika Hammerschlag, U.S. news, Oil spills, David Michel, U.S. News
