Iranian Strikes Damage Desalination Plant in Kuwait

On July 17, 2026, Iranian strikes targeted a power and water desalination plant in Kuwait, causing significant damage to a key source of drinking water in the country. Kuwaiti authorities reported that the strikes affected numerous power generation units and ignited a fire, which has since been contained. The country relies heavily on desalination for its drinking water supply, with approximately 90% of its water sourced from this process. Similar reliance on desalination is seen in Oman and Saudi Arabia, where 86% and 70% of drinking water, respectively, comes from desalination. The vulnerability of these facilities has been highlighted by recent attacks, with hundreds of desalination plants located along the Persian Gulf coast. A CIA analysis from 2010 indicated that attacks on these facilities could lead to national crises in Gulf states, as major cities could lose most of their drinking water within days if critical plants were compromised. Additionally, climate change poses further risks to these infrastructures, with potential impacts from extreme weather events.