Iran calls US strikes on Sirik water facilities ‘helplessness’, town left without drinking water

SIRIK, IRAN: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has condemned reported US strikes on water infrastructure in southern Iran, calling the attacks a sign of “helplessness” rather than strength as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate.

The remarks came after Iranian authorities alleged that recent US military strikes damaged critical water facilities in Sirik County, a coastal region in Hormozgan province, disrupting access to drinking water for thousands of residents.

Pezeshkian calls water systems the ‘lifeline’ of the people

Reacting to reports of damage to two major concrete water reservoirs, the Iranian president said critical infrastructure serves as the “lifeline of the people” and warned against attacks that threaten access to basic necessities.

In a post on X, Pezeshkian said essential infrastructure, including water, electricity, and transport systems, should not be treated as targets, adding that such actions reflect weakness rather than strength.

He wrote in Persian that critical infrastructure forms the backbone of civilian life and said Iran would remain committed to unity and resilience in the face of pressure.

Officials in Tehran said the alleged strikes hit two water storage tanks in the Bamani district of Sirik, disrupting potable water supplies and forcing emergency distribution measures across affected areas.

The Iranian Consulate issued a statement condemning the reported strikes, saying damage to civilian water systems created serious humanitarian concerns for residents dependent on local reservoirs.

Iranian state media also reported that parts of Sirik faced disruptions in safe drinking water access following the incident, with repair teams deployed to assess and restore damaged facilities.

Local authorities began arranging alternative water supplies while engineers worked to evaluate the extent of the damage and restore normal distribution.

US says operation targeted military infrastructure

US Central Command said the strikes were carried out in response to the downing of a US military helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz, which Washington attributed to an Iranian one-way attack drone.

Officials described the operation as a “proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression,” insisting that military infrastructure was targeted and not civilian facilities.

US President Donald Trump separately said American forces would continue operations following the incident, warning of sustained action in response to escalating hostilities.

Iranian officials, meanwhile, warned of a strong response to further strikes, saying the country would deliver a “crushing and decisive” reaction if attacks continued.