A service building at a major power and water desalination plant in Kuwait was hit in an attack attributed to Iranian forces, resulting in the death of an Indian worker and causing significant damage to the facility, Kuwaiti authorities reported on Monday.
The incident has raised serious concerns over the security of critical infrastructure across the Gulf amid escalating tensions from the United States-Israeli conflict with Iran.
According to a statement by Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, the targeted building forms part of the nation’s integrated power and water network, and the attack has disrupted normal operations.
Officials warned that such assaults on vital installations could have far-reaching consequences for energy and water supplies in the region.
The attack occurred shortly after Iran experienced extensive strikes on its own power plants and infrastructure, including major outages in Tehran and Karaj.
Iranian authorities have repeatedly vowed to retaliate for attacks on their territory, and analysts say the Kuwait incident reflects Tehran’s willingness to strike beyond its borders in response to regional hostilities.
Experts have expressed deep concern about the vulnerability of integrated power and desalination facilities in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
These plants supply nearly 40 per cent of the world’s desalinated water, providing essential potable water for millions of residents in the Gulf region. Any disruption to such infrastructure could trigger serious shortages, affecting cities and communities dependent on desalinated water.
Kuwaiti authorities, together with regional partners, are reportedly reviewing security measures to safeguard critical energy and water installations in the wake of the attack.
