By Abdullahi Lukman
Iran’s key water and electricity infrastructure has sustained significant damage following strikes by the United States and Israel, the country’s energy minister Abbas Aliabadi said on Sunday, as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East.
According to the minister, the attacks targeted dozens of water transmission and treatment facilities, destroying parts of critical supply networks. He added that repair efforts are currently underway to restore affected services.
The strikes, launched on February 28 by the United States and Israel, reportedly killed Iran’s supreme leader and triggered a wider regional conflict that has since spread across the Middle East.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump warned earlier on Sunday that Washington could target Iran’s power plants if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
Traffic through the strategic waterway, which typically carries about 20 percent of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas, has slowed to near standstill since the conflict began.
Iranian forces have attacked several vessels, claiming they ignored warnings against passing through the strait.
In recent days, Iran has allowed limited passage for ships from countries it considers friendly, while threatening to block those from nations it accuses of supporting the attacks.
In response to the US warning, Iran has threatened retaliatory strikes on energy infrastructure and desalination facilities across the region.
