Iranian Water Facility Destroyed in U.S. Airstrike, Leaving 20,000 Without Water Amid 50°C Heatwave

Iranian authorities announced that a drinking water storage facility in southern Iran was destroyed by a U.S. airstrike, cutting off the water supply to 20,000 people amid a 50°C (122°F) heatwave.

Iranian state-run media Press TV reported on June 10 (local time), citing official announcements, that the U.S. airstrike disrupted water supplies to 10 villages around Kohestak and Bemani in Sirik, Hormozgan Province.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reported on social media that a desalination plant and water tanks had been destroyed.

Iranian media outlets released videos and photos of the site, stating that the two destroyed water storage tanks were made of reinforced concrete with capacities of 2,000 cubic meters and 500 cubic meters, respectively.

Approximately 20,000 residents live in the areas affected by the water supply disruption.

Iranian media reported that while residents suffered from the water cutoff during the 50°C (122°F) heatwave, supplies were restored after 12 hours through emergency measures taken by authorities.

The New York Times reported that experts who analyzed photos of debris recovered from the site by Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency believe the remnants appear to be from a GBU-39, a 250-pound (approx. 113 kg) precision-guided glide bomb used by the U.S. military.

The newspaper also noted that the presence of a small hole in the center of the roof suggests a precision strike was carried out.

The New York Times pointed out that intentionally targeting civilian infrastructure can be considered a war crime under international law.

Previously, the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) stated that it had conducted precision strikes on "air defense, ground control stations, and surveillance radar facilities" near the Strait of Hormuz.

A spokesperson for the Central Command told The New York Times and other outlets that they were aware of reports regarding damage to the water facility but did not provide further information.

Press TV condemned the incident as an "act of state terrorism," accusing the U.S. of intentionally bombing a civilian water storage facility.

Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, criticized the strike as a "calculated war crime and a clear violation of human rights," while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on social media that the threat to target infrastructure is "a sign of (U.S.) desperation."

(Photo: Captured from Iran Press TV's X account, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.