Iran Accuses U.S. Forces of Attacking Desalination Plant on Qeshm Island

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has formally accused U.S. forces of conducting an attack on a freshwater desalination plant located on Qeshm Island. According to Iranian reports, the strike has severely impacted water supplies for approximately 30 villages, marking a potential escalation in targeting critical civilian infrastructure. However, international media outlets and monitoring organizations have yet to provide independent confirmation regarding the occurrence or nature of the alleged strike. The incident unfolds amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Persian Gulf, where analysts have long identified desalination facilities as high-stakes strategic vulnerabilities. Financial markets are closely monitoring the situation, as any confirmed escalation could significantly impact Brent Crude and WTI prices due to supply security concerns. Furthermore, the potential for retaliatory actions against regional energy or water assets remains a key driver for safe-haven demand in XAU/USD.