By Muhammad Mamman
Tehran has issued a stark warning that it will retaliate against energy facilities and desalination plants across the region if the United States carries out threatened strikes on Iranian power infrastructure, signalling a sharp escalation in tensions.
The warning comes after Washington reportedly considered targeting Iran’s power plants amid a deepening confrontation over regional security and vital shipping routes. In response, Iranian officials said any such attack would trigger counterstrikes extending beyond military targets to critical civilian-linked infrastructure.
The exchange of threats underscores growing fears of a widening conflict that could disrupt energy supplies and water systems across the Gulf, with desalination plants—essential for drinking water in the region—now potentially in the crosshairs. 
Analysts warn that targeting such infrastructure risks severe humanitarian consequences and could drag multiple countries deeper into the crisis, as both sides signal readiness to escalate.
