Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting Kuwait's drinking water and power plants on Thursday, escalating its conflict with the United States and its allies. The strikes came hours after U.S. forces, under the direction of former President Donald Trump, conducted bombardments on Iranian bridges and airports.
Kuwait, an oil-rich nation, relies heavily on desalination plants for its water supply, which produce approximately 90 percent of its drinking water. Authorities reported that several power-generation units were damaged in the attack, though firefighters were able to control the resulting blaze. In response to the strain on its infrastructure, Kuwait's government has urged residents to ration electricity during the peak summer demand.
The conflict, which began in late February with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, has intensified in recent weeks. The U.S. has carried out multiple waves of strikes against Iran, targeting command centers, air defense sites, and missile and drone capabilities, particularly in areas related to the Strait of Hormuz. American forces have also tightened a naval blockade in the Gulf, boarding vessels and redirecting commercial ships attempting to breach it.
Iran has responded by targeting American bases and U.S. allies in the Middle East. Earlier in the week, Tehran claimed responsibility for drone strikes on fuel tanks, a Patriot system, a watchtower, and an ammunition depot at a U.S. base in Kuwait, as well as strikes on Bahrain. The latest attacks on Kuwait mark the first time Iran has specifically targeted power infrastructure.
Trump has previously threatened to expand the campaign to include Iran's power plants and bridges if Tehran does not return to negotiations, warning of intensified attacks in the coming week. Iran, in turn, has vowed to strike infrastructure across the region if the U.S. follows through and has reportedly asked Yemen's Houthis to prepare to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in response to potential U.S. strikes on Iranian power infrastructure.
Iranian officials reported explosions in Bandar Abbas and near Bushehr, where the country's largest civilian nuclear plant is located. The U.S. military confirmed strikes on Iranian command centers, air defense sites, and coastal surveillance facilities.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway responsible for one-fifth of global oil transit, remains a central focus of the conflict. Iran's attempts to assert control over the strait have led to direct confrontations with U.S. forces following the reimposition of a blockade.
The recent surge in fighting has resulted in at least 30 deaths since the previous week, and oil prices have seen a significant spike.