Thousands of Iranians in the southern port town of Sirik have lost access to drinking water after US strikes hit two reservoirs in the area, Iranian state media reported on Wednesday. The United States carried out airstrikes on the southern cities of Jask and Sirik, as well as on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, following what Washington described as Iran's downing of a US Army Apache helicopter over Gulf waters.
Damage to Water Infrastructure
The strikes damaged two reservoirs that supply the Bemani and Kouhestak areas of Sirik town. According to Iran's state television, local water company officials stated that following the attack, 20,000 residents in the region have lost access to safe drinking water. With temperatures ranging between 45 and 50 degrees Celsius, conditions have become extremely difficult and critical for the local inhabitants.
“The destruction of these reservoirs has created a major problem for the region’s water supply network,” the report added, noting that the area has insufficient groundwater to replace the damaged reservoirs. Efforts are underway to find alternatives for the affected villages, according to Abdolhamid Hamzehpour, a senior water company official in the southern province of Hormozgan.
Iranian Response and Condemnation
Tehran condemned the strikes as having been carried out under a false pretext and responded with missile and drone attacks on what it said were US bases in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. The situation remains tense as both sides exchange accusations and military actions.
