Iran said on Sunday it would target the energy and water infrastructure of its Gulf neighbours if U.S. President Donald Trump follows through on his threat to strike Iran’s power grid within 48 hours, further escalating the three-week-old conflict.
The prospect of tit-for-tat strikes on civilian infrastructure could further rattle global markets when they reopen on Monday morning, and threaten the livelihoods of millions of civilians in the region who rely almost exclusively in some cases on desalination plants for water.
Strikes Continue Across Region
After more than three weeks of heavy U.S. and Israeli bombardment that officials say has sharply reduced Iran’s missile capabilities, Tehran continues to demonstrate the ability to carry out attacks. Air raid sirens sounded across parts of northern and central Israel, including in Tel Aviv, and the occupied West Bank overnight on Sunday, warning of incoming missiles from Iran.
Hours earlier, the Israeli military said it had completed a wave of strikes on Tehran that targeted a military base as well as weapons production and storage facilities.
Trump issued his warning Saturday evening, less than a day after signalling U.S. might be considering winding down the conflict, even as U.S. Marines and heavy landing craft are heading to the region.
Regional and Global Risks Rise
Iran warned it would target U.S. and allied energy, water and IT infrastructure in the region if its own fuel facilities are attacked, state media reported, citing military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaqari. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said such escalation could “irreversibly” damage critical infrastructure across the Middle East.
Any disruption could be especially severe for Gulf states, which rely heavily on electricity for desalination—supplying most of the water in countries like Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also threatened to shut the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route, until damaged facilities are restored.
(With inputs from Reuters)
