Radio National Breakfast Fears over water security in Gulf after desalination plant attacks
Mar 9, 2026
Kaveh Madani, UN water institute director and former deputy environment chief in Iran, speaks on Gulf water security. He discusses drought trends and war's indirect effects on Iran's water. He explains heavy reliance on desalination across the region. He covers legal, economic and contamination risks when treatment plants are targeted.
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Desalination Attacks Compound Existing Water Shortages
- Attacks on water infrastructure are an emerging concern beyond climate-driven shortages.
- Kaveh Madani highlights recent strikes on a southern island desalination plant and a north-of-Tehran distribution disruption affecting vulnerable villages.
Island Villages Lost Water After Plant Strike
- Smaller islands lack freshwater and depend on desalination for drinking water.
- The attacked plant served about 27 villages that already had poor water quality, so the strike worsened civilians' burdens.
Desalination Is The Region's Economic Backbone
- The Gulf states' reliance on desalination varies but is broadly critical for populations and economies.
- Madani notes smaller Gulf states and Saudi Arabia are especially dependent, so disruptions could endanger millions and deter investment.