health
March 31, 2026
Kuwait accuses Iran of targeting power and desalination facility
An alleged Iranian strike on a key Kuwaiti power and desalination plant underscores the risk of a freshwater crisis across the Middle East
TL;DR
- Kuwait accused Iran of an attack on a power and desalination plant, which killed one Indian national and damaged a service building.
- The incident highlights the Middle East's significant reliance on desalination for freshwater needs, with countries like Qatar obtaining nearly 99% of their drinking water from this source.
- Water scarcity is a major challenge in the region, particularly for Kuwait, which has very limited natural freshwater resources.
- Desalination plants in the Gulf region produce over 22 million cubic meters of water daily, representing about one-third of global capacity.
- Water facilities in the Middle East have been targeted in previous conflicts, including incidents involving Iranian drones and missiles, as well as during the 1991 Gulf War and in Yemen and Gaza.
- US President Donald Trump has previously threatened to target Iranian civilian infrastructure, including water plants.
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