Threats to water supply and food inflation stalks Gulf states

Threats to water supply and food inflation stalks Gulf states Submitted by Sean Mathews on Fri, 03/06/2026 - 17:38 Iran has yet to target critical desalination plants in the Gulf, but closing Strait of Hormuz and attacking transportation hubs could spike food prices Ras al-Khair water desalination plant, owned by the Saudi government's Saline Water Conversion Corporation, in eastern Saudi Arabia, on 30 March 2023 (Fayez Nureldine/AFP) Off Gulf countries are shutting down oil and gas production as a result of the US-Israeli war on Iran , but it's not just their energy infrastructure that is currently held hostage to Iran’s retaliatory missiles and drones : food and water are, too. Over 400 water desalination plants line the Persian Gulf. They are used to keep the industry running, keep golf courses green, and, most importantly, quench the thirst of the region's residents.