Why Are the Conflicts Between the U.S. and Iran Intensifying? These Three Details Are Thought-Provoking

On the evening of the 18th Eastern Time, the U.S. military conducted airstrikes against Iran for the eighth consecutive night. On the 19th, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan all reported that their air defense systems intercepted a new wave of missiles and drones from Iran.

Recently, conflicts have reignited between the U.S. and Iran over navigation issues in the Strait of Hormuz, with ongoing mutual attacks. What is the purpose of the U.S. airstrikes on Iran's southern infrastructure? Why have attacks on desalination plants in Gulf countries raised widespread concerns? Does Iran's frequent targeting of U.S. military bases indicate that it has acquired "new technology"?

Why the U.S. is striking Iranian infrastructure

Recently, the U.S. military has continuously conducted airstrikes across multiple locations in Iran, particularly in the southern coastal provinces. The U.S. Central Command stated that the military targeted Iranian coastal military surveillance facilities, air defense systems, command centers, maritime operational facilities, and missile and drone storage sites, with the aim of weakening Iran's ability to "threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz."

Officials from multiple provinces in Iran reported that civilian infrastructure such as bridges, railways, airports, communication towers, and desalination plants have been struck by U.S. airstrikes. Among these, the Hormozgan Province along the coast of the Strait of Hormuz has been particularly heavily bombed. Recent statements from Hormozgan officials indicated that six bridges in the province were destroyed, leading to disruptions in road traffic connecting to the capital, Abbas Port; 116 communication towers were damaged, resulting in communication outages in some areas of the province.

Middle Eastern media, including Al Jazeera, analyzed that the U.S. airstrikes on these infrastructures aim to cut off Iran's southern connections with the outside world, especially to "isolate Abbas Port." Abbas Port is a strategic chokepoint in the Strait of Hormuz, serving as an important base for the Iranian Navy and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, as well as being Iran's largest commercial port, with significant military and economic importance.

Mark Hibberd, a senior lecturer at King's College London’s Department of War Studies, believes that the U.S. is focusing on bombing bridges because they are vital to the transportation lifeline in southern Iran, which is extremely important for military logistics and operations. The destruction of bridges by the U.S. aims to hinder Iran's ability to transport weapons and equipment to the south, thereby weakening Iran's military control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Why attacks on desalination plants raise concerns

In the recent conflicts, attacks on desalination facilities have drawn widespread attention. Iran reported on the 18th that U.S. airstrikes targeted a desalination plant in Hormozgan Province, completely disrupting the drinking water supply for about 10,000 residents in 20 surrounding villages.

The Kuwaiti government reported on the 19th that a power and desalination plant in the country was attacked by Iran for the second consecutive day, resulting in fires and the shutdown of multiple generator units.

The Gulf countries face climate aridity and a scarcity of freshwater resources, heavily relying on desalination, which processes seawater into freshwater suitable for drinking, irrigation, and industrial production. Studies show that 90% of Kuwait's residents' water comes from desalination, with even higher proportions in Bahrain and Qatar.

Al Jazeera reported insights from environmental experts, stating that Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar have small land areas and are highly dependent on desalination, with limited strategic water reservoir capacities. If desalination plants are severely damaged, social and economic stability will be at risk.

Roxane Farmanfarmaian, a lecturer in international politics at the University of Cambridge, believes that the U.S. attacks on Iran's southern desalination plants, bridges, airports, and other civilian infrastructure have prompted Iran to target "similar" objectives in Kuwait. Iran is using Kuwait "as an example" to demonstrate its strike capabilities, thereby serving as a deterrent.

Is Iran's missile accuracy improving?

The U.S. Central Command confirmed on the 18th that two U.S. soldiers were killed on the 17th in Jordan due to Iranian missile and drone attacks, and another U.S. service member is missing. This incident raises the death toll of U.S. military personnel in operations against Iran to 16.

The U.S. did not disclose the location of the incident. However, sources revealed that a U.S. Air Force base in Jordan was struck by Iranian forces, resulting in casualties and damage to aircraft and drones at the base. This base is equipped with the U.S. "THAAD" missile defense system and has previously been targeted by Iranian airstrikes without resulting in casualties.

According to Iranian sources, recent retaliatory actions successfully targeted U.S. military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, damaging U.S. military facilities or equipment.

An anonymous U.S. official told American media that the damage caused by Iran's recent series of attacks indicates that Iran still has ample missile reserves and that its missiles are becoming more effective at penetrating U.S. air defense systems.

The Wall Street Journal reported, citing several unnamed U.S. officials, that Iran has "adapted" to U.S. air defense systems and is using fast-moving, maneuverable missiles to accurately strike key targets.

Reporter: Wu Baoshu