Israel is battling its second straight day of water restrictions after turbid seawater forced five of its six desalination plants offline. Authorities have ordered major cuts to agricultural water use and further reductions in public landscaping irrigation as officials work to stabilize the national water network. The disruption, blamed on unusual turbidity possibly linked to algae drifting from the Nile region, isn't affecting home water supplies, officials say, even as pressure mounts on the system nationwide.


Israel water crisis: Agriculture cuts, landscaping curbs after desalination plants shut down 

<p>US strikes on Iran on June 10 reportedly destroyed two water reservoirs, marking a significant escalation since the announcement of the ceasefire on April 8. The US described the attacks as “self-defence strikes” and a “proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression”. Iranian officials confirmed that the US strikes have damaged water reservoirs in Bemani and Kouhestak areas in Sirik County, southern Iran. Approximately 20,000 residents across the city and the surrounding 10 villages rely on the desalination plant for the drinking water supply. The temperature in the area has reached over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the last few days.</p><p>These strikes come in response to the downing of the Apache Helicopters patrolling the Strait of Hormuz. The pictures of fragments shared by the semi-official news portal Tasnim show what appears to be a lightweight precision glide bomb, GBU-39, according to the Open Source Munitions Portal. The strikes had also caused major damage to a telecommunications tower in the town of Sirik.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-excise-duty-exemption-e22-e25-e27-e30-ethanol-blended-petrol-1781153863114"><strong>India extends excise duty exemption on E22, E25, E27 and E30 ethanol-blended petrol</strong></a></p><h2>Water-scarce West Asia region</h2><p>According to a CSIS report, the GCC countries, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, are among the most arid regions on Earth and depend on desalination plants for freshwater, as it has scant constellation of groundwater aquifers. A desalination plant uses thermal distillation or reverse osmosis to remove salt and minerals from seawater, making it suitable for human consumption, such as drinking, irrigation and industrial use. These facilities are particularly critical for regions like Iran, as freshwater reserves are scarce. The desalination plants account for 77.3 per cent of total water demand in Qatar, 67.5 per cent in Bahrain, 52.1 per cent in the UAE, 42.2 per cent in Kuwait, 31 per cent in Oman, and 18.1 per cent in Saudi Arabia. For drinking water, Qatar is 99 per cent, Bahrain over 90 per cent, &nbsp;Kuwait over 90 per cent, Oman 86 per cent, Saudi Arabia 70 per cent, and the UAE over 42 per cent. All of them are precariously in range of Iranian missiles and drones.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Iran was already facing a multiyear drought before the US-Israeli war. 2025 was the fifth consecutive drought year, and across the country, around 19 dams had run dry. Isa Bozorgzadeh, spokesperson of Iran's water industry, claimed the US strike on Iranian water reservoirs was a war crime, as reported by WANA (West Asia News Agency). The Berlin Rules of Water Resources, drafted by the International Law Association, protect water resources and prohibit countries at war from destroying them. However, the US have not declared its intent to strike water infrastructure, though from the satellite images it was clear that both buildings stand in remote areas without any other infrastructure nearby. Hitting remote buildings and striking the centre of a roof are considered likely indicators of a precision strike. This is the second strike by the US on Iran's water infrastructure after the March 7 attack on Qeshm Island off the coast of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off water supply to 30 villages. In response, Iran retaliated by targeting the desalination plants in Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE. Now this escalation by the US provides Iran with the justification for targeting the water infrastructures in the GCC, which would be disastrous.&nbsp;</p>

US strikes damaged water reservoirs in southern Iran, disrupting supplies for thousands. Experts warn the escalation could increase risks to desalination plants that supply most drinking water across Gulf countries.

US strikes on Iran on June 10 reportedly destroyed two water reservoirs, marking a significant escalation since the announcement of the ceasefire on April 8. The US described the attacks as “self-defence strikes” and a “proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression”. Iranian officials confirmed that the US strikes have damaged water reservoirs in Bemani and Kouhestak areas in Sirik County, southern Iran. Approximately 20,000 residents across the city and the surrounding 10 villages rely on the desalination plant for the drinking water supply. The temperature in the area has reached over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the last few days. These strikes come in response to the downing of the Apache Helicopters patrolling the Strait of Hormuz. The pictures of fragments shared by the semi-official news portal Tasnim show what appears to be a lightweight precision glide bomb, GBU-39, according to the Open Source Munitions Portal. The strikes had also caused major damage to a telecommunications tower in the town of Sirik. Also Read: India extends excise duty exemption on E22, E25, E27 and E30 ethanol-blended petrol Water-scarce West Asia region According to a CSIS report, the GCC countries, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, are among the most arid regions on Earth and depend on desalination plants for freshwater, as it has scant constellation of groundwater aquifers. A desalination plant uses thermal distillation or reverse osmosis to remove salt and minerals from seawater, making it suitable for human consumption, such as drinking, irrigation and industrial use. These facilities are particularly critical for regions like Iran, as freshwater reserves are scarce. The desalination plants account for 77.3 per cent of total water demand in Qatar, 67.5 per cent in Bahrain, 52.1 per cent in the UAE, 42.2 per cent in Kuwait, 31 per cent in Oman, and 18.1 per cent in Saudi Arabia. For drinking water, Qatar is 99 per cent, Bahrain over 90 per cent, Kuwait over 90 per cent, Oman 86 per cent, Saudi Arabia 70 per cent, and the UAE over 42 per cent. All of them are precariously in range of Iranian missiles and drones. Iran was already facing a multiyear drought before the US-Israeli war. 2025 was the fifth consecutive drought year, and across the country, around 19 dams had run dry. Isa Bozorgzadeh, spokesperson of Iran's water industry, claimed the US strike on Iranian water reservoirs was a war crime, as reported by WANA (West Asia News Agency). The Berlin Rules of Water Resources, drafted by the International Law Association, protect water resources and prohibit countries at war from destroying them. However, the US have not declared its intent to strike water infrastructure, though from the satellite images it was clear that both buildings stand in remote areas without any other infrastructure nearby. Hitting remote buildings and striking the centre of a roof are considered likely indicators of a precision strike. This is the second strike by the US on Iran's water infrastructure after the March 7 attack on Qeshm Island off the coast of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off water supply to 30 villages. In response, Iran retaliated by targeting the desalination plants in Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE. Now this escalation by the US provides Iran with the justification for targeting the water infrastructures in the GCC, which would be disastrous.

<p>US strikes damaged water reservoirs in southern Iran, disrupting supplies for thousands. Experts warn the escalation could increase risks to desalination plants that supply most drinking water across Gulf countries.</p>

US strikes leave 20,000 without water as fears grow over Gulf infrastructure

<p>An attack on a desalination plant in Iran, and the US President Donald Trump's threats and Iranian counterthreats, are increasing the risk that water-purifying facilities could be sitting ducks in the ongoing war. For nearly a century, desalination plants, which make the salty water in the region drinkable, have been the lifeline of the Gulf region. Any attack on them would render millions of people without water. Several desalination plants are operated by European and Asian companies, once again giving a global dimension to the Iran-US-Israel war. Here is what you should know about the consequences of a water war:</p><h2>Desalination is a lifeline for millions of people across the Gulf region</h2><p>In a region where natural freshwater is virtually non-existent due to an arid climate, minimal rainfall and depleted aquifers, desalination is the lifeline of the Gulf region.</p><p>In the UAE, nearly 42 per cent of drinking water comes through desalination plants , and up to 90 per cent in some emirates. The percentage is around 70 per cent in Saudi Arabia. For Qatar, it is 99 per cent of municipal and drinking water. For Kuwait, it is 90 per cent and for Oman, 86 per cent.</p><h2>Desalination plants also support industry and agriculture</h2><p>The GCC member countries produce nearly 40 per cent of the world’s desalinated water.</p><p>Without desalination plants, major cities like Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, Kuwait City, Muscat and Basra wouldn't be able to sustain current populations.</p><p>The daily per capita demand of up to 500 litres of water relies on desalinated seawater.</p><p>Amid population booms and climate change, dependence on desalination has increased for industry, agriculture and for holy sites like Hajj in Saudi Arabia.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-water-war-trump-threatens-to-blow-up-iran-s-desalination-plants-how-could-retaliation-leave-gulf-cities-thirsty-1774938407674">'Water war': Trump threatens to blow up Iran’s desalination plants. How could retaliation leave Gulf cities thirsty?</a></p><h2>Sitting ducks: Attacks on desalination plants can lead to a humanitarian catastrophe</h2><p>Most desalination plants in the region are highly visible and large, located along coasts.&nbsp;</p><p>Many are located directly across the Gulf from Iran, within easy range of its missiles and drones.</p><p>In spite of their importance, which everyone knows, careless threats are being made against desalination plants by both sides in the Iran war.&nbsp;</p><p>A disruption would cause an immediate humanitarian catastrophe, including dehydration and halted services.</p><p>The long-term consequences could include economic collapse and potential mass displacement.</p><p>More than 90 per cent of Gulf desalinated water comes from just 56 large plants. A single-point failure could cut supply to millions within days.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-national-dies-in-iranian-attack-on-kuwait-power-plant-india-government-mea-embassy-response-1774828034256">Kuwait confirms death of Indian national in 'Iranian attack' on power, desalination plant; MEA yet to respond</a></p><h2>Desalination plant attacks are not new, but are rising</h2><p>Already, several Iranian and Gulf desalination plants have faced direct or indirect strikes. Iran has accused the US of hitting a Qeshm Island plant along the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting water supplies for 30 villages.</p><p>Bahrain reported an Iranian drone damaging one of its plants, while at least one person died in a similar attack in Kuwait.</p><p>Damage was reported at the UAE’s Fujairah F1 and Kuwait’s Doha West from missiles, drones or debris. Iran has explicitly threatened “irreversible destruction” of Gulf water infrastructure in retaliation for any further strikes on its energy or water systems by adversaries.</p><p>This is not the first time. In the 1991 Gulf War, Iraq damaged Kuwait’s desalination plants. Houthi rebels of Yemen have targeted desalination plants of adversaries in the recent past.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-iranian-drone-damages-desalination-plant-in-bahrain-1773007153294/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-iranian-drone-damages-desalination-plant-in-bahrain-1773007153294/embed</a></p><h2>The global angle: Dozens of desalination plants are maanged or operated by foreign firms</h2><p>While up to 80 to 90 per cent of overall Gulf desalination infrastructure is state-owned or operated, dozens of desalination plants in the region have foreign co-ownership or are operated by foreign firms.</p><p>Leading players include ENGIE from France, which operates 13 plants across the region with 5.8 million m³/day total output.&nbsp;</p><p>Spain's Acciona/GS Inima operates and manages multiple plants in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.</p><p>Veolia from France, Mitsubishi and JERA from Japan, and PowerChina are also among the companies operating in the region.</p>

Callous threats by both the US and Iran are putting Gulf desalination plants at risk. Attacks on these plants, deliberate or accidental, could cut water supplies for millions. A humanitarian crisis in the short run, and economic collapse in the long term, could be the results

An attack on a desalination plant in Iran, and the US President Donald Trump's threats and Iranian counterthreats, are increasing the risk that water-purifying facilities could be sitting ducks in the ongoing war. For nearly a century, desalination plants, which make the salty water in the region drinkable, have been the lifeline of the Gulf region. Any attack on them would render millions of people without water. Several desalination plants are operated by European and Asian companies, once again giving a global dimension to the Iran-US-Israel war. Here is what you should know about the consequences of a water war: Desalination is a lifeline for millions of people across the Gulf region In a region where natural freshwater is virtually non-existent due to an arid climate, minimal rainfall and depleted aquifers, desalination is the lifeline of the Gulf region. In the UAE, nearly 42 per cent of drinking water comes through desalination plants , and up to 90 per cent in some emirates. The percentage is around 70 per cent in Saudi Arabia. For Qatar, it is 99 per cent of municipal and drinking water. For Kuwait, it is 90 per cent and for Oman, 86 per cent. Desalination plants also support industry and agriculture The GCC member countries produce nearly 40 per cent of the world’s desalinated water. Without desalination plants, major cities like Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, Kuwait City, Muscat and Basra wouldn't be able to sustain current populations. The daily per capita demand of up to 500 litres of water relies on desalinated seawater. Amid population booms and climate change, dependence on desalination has increased for industry, agriculture and for holy sites like Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Also read: 'Water war': Trump threatens to blow up Iran’s desalination plants. How could retaliation leave Gulf cities thirsty? Sitting ducks: Attacks on desalination plants can lead to a humanitarian catastrophe Most desalination plants in the region are highly visible and large, located along coasts. Many are located directly across the Gulf from Iran, within easy range of its missiles and drones. In spite of their importance, which everyone knows, careless threats are being made against desalination plants by both sides in the Iran war. A disruption would cause an immediate humanitarian catastrophe, including dehydration and halted services. The long-term consequences could include economic collapse and potential mass displacement. More than 90 per cent of Gulf desalinated water comes from just 56 large plants. A single-point failure could cut supply to millions within days. Also read: Kuwait confirms death of Indian national in 'Iranian attack' on power, desalination plant; MEA yet to respond Desalination plant attacks are not new, but are rising Already, several Iranian and Gulf desalination plants have faced direct or indirect strikes. Iran has accused the US of hitting a Qeshm Island plant along the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting water supplies for 30 villages. Bahrain reported an Iranian drone damaging one of its plants, while at least one person died in a similar attack in Kuwait. Damage was reported at the UAE’s Fujairah F1 and Kuwait’s Doha West from missiles, drones or debris. Iran has explicitly threatened “irreversible destruction” of Gulf water infrastructure in retaliation for any further strikes on its energy or water systems by adversaries. This is not the first time. In the 1991 Gulf War, Iraq damaged Kuwait’s desalination plants. Houthi rebels of Yemen have targeted desalination plants of adversaries in the recent past. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-iranian-drone-damages-desalination-plant-in-bahrain-1773007153294/embed The global angle: Dozens of desalination plants are maanged or operated by foreign firms While up to 80 to 90 per cent of overall Gulf desalination infrastructure is state-owned or operated, dozens of desalination plants in the region have foreign co-ownership or are operated by foreign firms. Leading players include ENGIE from France, which operates 13 plants across the region with 5.8 million m³/day total output. Spain's Acciona/GS Inima operates and manages multiple plants in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Veolia from France, Mitsubishi and JERA from Japan, and PowerChina are also among the companies operating in the region.

<p>Callous threats by both the US and Iran are putting Gulf desalination plants at risk. Attacks on these plants, deliberate or accidental, could cut water supplies for millions. A humanitarian crisis in the short run, and economic collapse in the long term, could be the results</p>

Playing with fire, this time over water: Desalination, the lifeline of Gulf, could be Iran war targets if better sense does not prevail

Trump’s comments came as the conflict intensified, with Tehran striking a key water and electrical plant in Kuwait, resulting in the death of an Indian worker and significant damage.

<p>Trump’s comments came as the conflict intensified, with Tehran striking a key water and electrical plant in Kuwait, resulting in the death of an Indian worker and significant damage.</p>

'Water war': Trump threatens to blow up Iran’s desalination plants. How could retaliation leave Gulf cities thirsty?

Iran has accused the United States of bombing a freshwater desalination plant on Qeshm Island during the ongoing conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the strike as a “blatant and desperate crime,” warning that it sets a dangerous precedent by targeting civilian water infrastructure.

According to Iranian officials, the attack disrupted the water supply to around 30 villages, raising concerns about humanitarian impacts in the region.

US-Iran War: What If The Desalination Plants Started Becoming Targets?

<p>Israel has been a world leader in several things.&nbsp;The country, which is already an expert in turning seawater drinkable, is now looking to fill the Sea of Galilee with excess output from desalination plants, an AFP report said. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The Sea of Galilee, which has been the main sweetwater reservoir for the nation for decades, has witnessed overuse and is getting depleted. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/game-changer-israel-successfully-tests-new-laser-missile-system-471087" hreflang="en">‘Game changer’: Israel successfully tests new laser defence system&nbsp;</a></strong></p>

<p>The plan will give a makeover to the world's lowest freshwater lake, which has seen irregular rainfall&nbsp;and intensive pumping. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Noam Halfon, researcher, Israel Meteorological Service, told AFP, there is a need for the new water infrastructure project as the population of Israel has been growing rapidly. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"Every 30 years we double the population. Without this project, it would be an awful situation," Halfon added. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Violent clashes at Jerusalem Holy site, masked men enter Al-Aqsa Mosque</strong></p>

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<p>The project will cost around one-billion-shekel (over $300-million). By the end of the year, it may help to reverse the flow of the system as earlier the pipes delivered lake water to the different areas of the country. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Ziv Cohen, engineer, Israeli water company Mekorot, told AFP, "The minute water flows through the pipeline, bringing excess water from desalination plants in the centre, we can raise the level of the Sea of Galilee, and it will become an operational reservoir." &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Israel has been a world leader in several things. The country, which is already an expert in turning seawater drinkable, is now looking to fill the Sea of Galilee with excess output from desalination plants, an AFP report said.

Israel has been a world leader in several things. The country, which is already an expert in turning seawater drinkable, is now looking to fill the Sea of Galilee with excess output from desalination plants, an AFP report said. The Sea of Galilee, which has been the main sweetwater reservoir for the nation for decades, has witnessed overuse and is getting depleted. Also Read | ‘Game changer’: Israel successfully tests new laser defence system The plan will give a makeover to the world's lowest freshwater lake, which has seen irregular rainfall and intensive pumping. Noam Halfon, researcher, Israel Meteorological Service, told AFP, there is a need for the new water infrastructure project as the population of Israel has been growing rapidly. "Every 30 years we double the population. Without this project, it would be an awful situation," Halfon added. Watch: Violent clashes at Jerusalem Holy site, masked men enter Al-Aqsa Mosque × The project will cost around one-billion-shekel (over $300-million). By the end of the year, it may help to reverse the flow of the system as earlier the pipes delivered lake water to the different areas of the country. Ziv Cohen, engineer, Israeli water company Mekorot, told AFP, "The minute water flows through the pipeline, bringing excess water from desalination plants in the centre, we can raise the level of the Sea of Galilee, and it will become an operational reservoir." (With inputs from agencies)

Now, Israel to fill Sea of Galilee with excess output from plants desalinating sea water 