In a startling development, tensions in the Middle East could soon escalate as Iran reportedly plans to target key desalination facilities in the region. This alarming prospect, which might materialize within days, was highlighted by Kaveh Madani, an Iranian scientist and official with the United Nations, during a statement on Sunday. Such actions could precipitate a widespread water crisis, impacting not just regional stability but also rippling through global markets.

These potential strikes come as a direct response to threats from President Donald Trump, who recently warned that the United States would retaliate against Iran’s power infrastructure should the Strait of Hormuz remain closed beyond a 48-hour deadline. The strait is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, and its closure would have significant geopolitical and economic repercussions.

In response to Trump’s warning, a representative from the Central Headquarters of Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya (PBUH) issued a stark statement. The spokesperson asserted, “If the enemy attacks Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructure, we will target all energy, information technology, and desalination systems belonging to the U.S. and its allies in the region.”

Madani’s remarks on the potential targeting of desalination plants underscore the gravity of the situation. Speaking to Fox News Digital, he reiterated the immediacy of the threat, emphasizing that these vital facilities might be targeted within days, which could severely disrupt water supplies across the Middle East and have far-reaching economic impacts.

This unfolding situation highlights the fragile dynamics in the region and underscores the potential for geopolitical disputes to affect global economic stability. As the international community watches closely, the need for diplomatic solutions becomes ever more pressing to avert a full-blown crisis.

“The desalination plants might be targeted again within the next few days,” Madani told Fox News Digital.

“The driest region of the world might see a real water war, but the knock-on effects on the world’s economy, including the U.S., will be both immediate and lasting,” Madani said, pointing to what he described as a “new phase in the conflict” involving such critical civilian infrastructure.

“Now, add the possibility of damage to the already fragile water infrastructure, including treatment plants, pumping stations, and distribution networks,” he said. “The consequences would be catastrophic and lasting.”

Kaveh’s warning comes as the conflict — now in its fourth week — has expanded beyond military targets. Desalination facilities, including a plant on Iran’s Qeshm Island and another in Bahrain, have allegedly already been struck.

Iran threatens to target desalination and energy infrastructure within days, a U.N. official warns, citing lasting consequences for global markets and water supplies. (Gabriela Maj/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Desalination, the process of creating drinkable water from seawater, is critical to supplying water across Israel and many of Iran’s Gulf neighbors, particularly in such arid regions where natural freshwater is scarce.

Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the Iranian parliament, echoed the regime’s threats in a post on X on Sunday, warning that “critical infrastructure, energy, and oil across the region will be irreversibly destroyed, and oil prices will rise for a long time” if Iran’s power plants are struck.

“With a blackout, water treatment and distribution systems will also collapse in some parts of the country,” Madani clarified.

“Iran will retaliate by attacking desalination, energy, and other energy-related infrastructure in all countries in the region that are parties to the war, including Israel,” he added. “The price of oil and gas will increase further, and the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed, while a humanitarian disaster is created as millions of people lose access to water and electricity in the region.”

An aerial view of the island of Qeshm, separated from the Iranian mainland by the Clarence Strait, December 10, 2023.  (Stringer/File Photo/Reuters)

“The U.S. has allegedly already attacked a desalination plant in Qeshm Island, and the Iranians have allegedly responded by striking a plant in Bahrain,” he said.

“Iran is the least reliant on desalination plants, so it is explicitly including them as legitimate targets for retaliation because this is the biggest vulnerability of the other parties to the war across the Middle East,” he added.

Despite that relative advantage, Iran itself has faced years of severe drought, mismanagement of water resources, and declining groundwater levels, leaving parts of the country increasingly water-stressed.

“If Iranians run out of water and/or electricity, they won’t rise up,” Holly Dagres, Libitzky Family Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said.

“The unfortunate truth is that the Islamic Republic would rather allow the country to burn than appear weak while it is facing an existential threat,” she said.