Both Israel and Iran have begun targeting civilian infrastructure rather than purely military or political sites. Israel is hitting refined fuel depots, while Iran is targeting critical water facilities in Gulf states.
Iran's targeting of a desalination facility in Bahrain highlights the extreme vulnerability of Gulf nations that depend on this technology for survival. Countries like Kuwait (90%), UAE, and Qatar (50%) have no natural water sources and rely on energy-intensive desalination.
The conflict has led to a 10-day closure of the Persian Gulf to meaningful shipping traffic. This has already removed 15% of the global oil supply from the market, causing a significant spike in prices even before any production infrastructure has been hit.
Iran is leveraging its significant drone manufacturing capability, producing hundreds of Shahed drones weekly. These drones allow for precise, long-range strikes on specific targets, as seen in the attack on the desalination plant.
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