US-Iran Clash Spills Over to Gulf Civilian Infrastructure, Raising Fears of Wider Conflict

Power Equipment Damaged and Fires Reported
Kuwait Depends on Desalination for 90% of Its Drinking Water
U.S. Expands Airstrikes to Iranian Civilian Facilities

As the military clash between the United States and Iran continues for the seventh consecutive day, Iran's attack has damaged a power plant and a desalination facility in Kuwait. With both countries' strikes beginning to affect civilian infrastructure in Gulf states, concerns over an expanded conflict are rising.

On July 17 local time, Kuwait's Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy announced that Iran attacked a power plant and a desalination facility in Kuwait, resulting in equipment damage and a fire outbreak. Some power generation equipment was also damaged.

Iran missile. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Kuwaiti authorities have extinguished the fire and begun restoration efforts for the damaged facilities.

Kuwait has condemned the attack, calling it a "heinous act of aggression." The government also urged citizens and residents to conserve electricity.

According to the Associated Press, Kuwait supplies about 90% of its drinking water from desalination plants. Any disruption in desalination operations could pose a serious threat to the nation's water supply.

This attack occurred shortly after U.S. forces expanded their airstrike targets to include civilian facilities such as railway crossings and bridges the previous day. Iran has yet to make an official statement regarding its attack on Kuwait.

On July 14, U.S. President Donald Trump stated, "If they do not come to the table and negotiate, we will take down all of their power plants."

Iran has also warned that if the United States attacks its own infrastructure, it could retaliate by targeting infrastructure in Gulf countries. If continued attacks on power plants and desalination facilities occur, tensions in the Middle East are expected to intensify further.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.