Water Is A Weapon In The Third Gulf War

BusinessEnergyWater Is A Weapon In The Third Gulf WarByAriel Cohen,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Ariel Cohen is a D.C.-based contributor who covers energy and securityFollow AuthorJun 12, 2026, 09:55am EDTThe destruction of oil tankers and oil infrastructure has captured headlines, but the greatest threat in the war with Iran may be towards a much more basic and vital commodity: water.gettyIf the current Gulf War, marked by controversy over control of the Strait of Hormuz, does not end soon, the conflict may shift from attacks on the transport of oil by sea to disrupting vital potable water resources. Just before President Trump announced Thursday, June 11, that the ceasefire is to be signed imminently, the U.S. allegedly bombed water infrastructure in southern Iran. These attacks reportedly hit two reservoirs on Sirik Island, where a port and Iranian naval facilities are located. The Iranian state media claimed that this cut off the water supply to 20,000 residents. Whether this claim is credible is questionable, as the Islamic Republic’s media often dissimilates. However, if these waterworks were supplying Iran’s military infrastructure, they would be legitimate military targets.The U.S. characterized these as proportional self-defense strikes. In the past, Iran has also accused the U.S. of attacking their desalination plant on Qeshm Island, another regular target of U.S. forces in the Gulf. Qeshm Island, besides being a beautiful ancient site, is strategically positioned in the Strait of Hormuz and is used by the Iranian regime as a fortress to control the Strait, replete with underground missile stocks and hidden fast attack boats.Beginning in March, Iran began attacking the water resources of neighboring Arab states. It may be playing with fire. Water reservoirs in Iran are in dire straits, with Tehran showing a 75% decrease in reservoir surface area. Some lakes and reservoirs have shrunk by as much as 90%. Ar...