Iranian media says desalination plant on Gulf island non-functional after airstrikes

The Times of Israel • March 31, 2026 • world

Key Points:

Iranian media reported that airstrikes have rendered a desalination plant on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz completely out of service, with no short-term repair possible; the exact timing of the attack was not specified.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the US of carrying out the March 7 strike from its military base in Bahrain, labeling it a "blatant and desperate crime."
The ongoing conflict has seen multiple attacks on desalination plants in the region, including Iranian retaliatory strikes on facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait, with accusations exchanged between Tehran, Israel, and the US.
Desalination plants are critical for water supply in the Middle East, providing a significant percentage of drinking water in Gulf countries, raising concerns that attacks on such infrastructure could escalate the conflict further.
Israel and the US have conducted extensive airstrikes against Iranian military and nuclear sites since February 28, aiming to weaken Iran’s military capabilities and regime stability, with significant casualties reported among Iranian forces.

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