Iran Blames "Neighboring Air Base" for Strike on Qeshm Desalination Plant; Warns of Grave Consequences
Iran's Foreign Ministry warns of "grave consequences" after a strike on a Qeshm Island desalination plant. Officials hint at UAE support for the attack, as the conflict shifts toward civilian water infrastructure.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has issued a sharp warning to its neighbors following a precision strike that destroyed a major freshwater desalination plant on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that the attack has completely cut off the drinking water supply to 30 local villages, describing the incident as a "desperate and blatant crime." While Tehran has primarily blamed the United States for the strike, claiming missiles were launched from the Jufair base in Bahrain, top officials are now pointing the finger at other regional neighbors for providing tactical support.
In a move seen as a direct hint at the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated on social media that the attack was carried out "with the support of one of the air bases in the southern neighboring countries."
This rhetoric follows a series of escalations in the "Water War" currently unfolding in the Gulf:
*The Precedent: Araghchi warned that by targeting civilian water infrastructure, the U.S. and its allies have "set a dangerous precedent" that Iran may be forced to follow.
The Retaliation: Shortly after the Qeshm strike, Bahrain accused Iran of a retaliatory drone strike on one of its own desalination plants, while damage was also reported near the Fujairah power and water complex in the UAE.
Regional Risk: Analysts warn that with over 400 desalination plants lining the Persian Gulf, any shift toward targeting water infrastructure could trigger an "unimaginable humanitarian crisis" for the entire region.
The "Fire at Will" Policy
The accusations come at a confusing time for Iranian diplomacy. While President Masoud Pezeshkian recently offered a personal apology to neighboring countries for "fire at will" strikes by the IRGC, the Foreign Ministry remains defiant, asserting that Iran will "firmly confront" any country that allows its territory to be used as a launchpad for U.S. or Israeli aggressions.