US Bombs Iran’s Water Infrastructure: Why It Matters
Sarah Shamim
The US bombed two civilian water reservoirs in southern Iran after an Apache helicopter was shot down near the Strait of Hormuz, escalating an already tense conflict. Iran, facing severe water shortages, condemned the attack as a war crime, while the US said it targeted only military communications and radar facilities. The destruction has left over 20,000 people without drinking water.
The United States and Iran have been locked in some of the most intense clashes in weeks since a Pakistan-mediated temporary ceasefire took effect on April 8. A comprehensive peace deal remains elusive as both sides trade proposals and counterproposals. However, following a series of smaller escalations, the US struck targets in Iran after an American Apache helicopter was shot down near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. Iran retaliated by attacking US military bases in the Persian Gulf.
The US military said it targeted communications and radar facilities. However, Iranian officials reported damage to civilian infrastructure, including two water reservoirs. If confirmed, this marks the first time in weeks that Iranian civilian infrastructure has been hit, coming at a time when Iran is grappling with severe water shortages.
What Were the Targets in Iran?
The US launched waves of attacks starting Tuesday evening following the downing of the helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. Washington described the strikes as "self-defense" and a "proportionate response to Iran's unprovoked aggression." While an official US investigation into the crash is ongoing, President Donald Trump quickly blamed Iran, accusing it of deliberately shooting down the helicopter.
US strikes hit multiple locations, including Sirik, Jask, Minab, Qeshm Island, and the port of Bandar Abbas. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the attacks caused significant damage to a telecommunications tower in the town of Sirik and destroyed two water reservoirs there. Iran's West Asia News Agency (WANA), citing "available reports," said two concrete water reservoirs in Bamani District, Sirik County, Hormozgan Province in southern Iran were hit.
Has the US Attacked Iran’s Water Infrastructure Before?
Yes. On March 7, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the US of striking a desalination plant on Qeshm Island, affecting water supplies to 30 villages. Desalination plants convert seawater into drinking, irrigation, and industrial water, making them critical in areas like the Persian Gulf where freshwater is scarce.
Why Does This Matter?
According to WANA, the destroyed reservoirs supplied drinking water to more than 20,000 residents in the city of Kouhestak and 10 surrounding villages, with damage estimated between $780,000 and $830,000. Iran has suffered from years of drought and declining rainfall even before the US-Israel war began. According to Aqueduct data from the World Resources Institute (WRI), Iran's baseline water stress is classified as "extremely high," meaning it uses over 80% of its annual renewable water resources. Last year, drought persisted for a fifth consecutive year, leaving the Amir Kabir Dam in Tehran at just 8% capacity, while 19 major dams across the country ran dry.
Is This a War Crime?
Iran's water industry spokesperson, Isa Bozorgzadeh, argued that attacking water reservoirs constitutes a war crime. International humanitarian law classifies water infrastructure—including drinking water supply systems, treatment plants, and pipelines—as civilian assets that are not legitimate targets in war. The 2004 Berlin Rules on Water Resources, drafted by the International Law Association (ILA), prohibit warring states from destroying water facilities if doing so causes disproportionate suffering to civilians.
