‘Act of state terrorism’: US attack on civilian reservoirs in south Iran cuts off drinking water to thousands
US military deliberately destroyed two water reservoirs in southern Iran’s Hormozgan province, cutting off drinking water to more than 20,000 residents as temperatures in the region soared to nearly 50 degrees Celsius.
The new American escalation against Iran came amid a fragile ceasefire in place since April 8, 2026, and only hours after a US Apache helicopter crashed in the Strait of Hormuz, an incident Washington linked to Iran, while Tehran categorically denied any involvement.
American warplanes struck multiple sites across the coastal province, including Jask, Sirik, and Qeshm Island, mainly targeting civilian areas and civilian infrastructure.
While the Pentagon claimed the strikes targeted Iranian air defense systems and radar installations, the on-the-ground damage presents a markedly different picture. In the Bemani District of Sirik County, two concrete water reservoirs were completely destroyed.
The larger reservoir, with a capacity of 2,000 cubic meters, and a smaller 500-cubic-meter facility were reduced to rubble under precision strikes. Their reinforced walls collapsed, support columns were shattered, and stored water spilled out overnight, leaving the surrounding area without a critical supply.
With seasonal rivers already dry and groundwater access severely limited, more than 20,000 residents now face the peak of summer without reliable access to safe drinking water, an act widely regarded under international humanitarian law as a war crime.
Attack on Bemani: what was destroyed
The targets of the American attack were two water reservoirs in the Bemani District of Sirik County, in the eastern part of Hormozgan province, along the coast of the Persian Gulf.
These were not military installations, nor were they situated near any strategic military assets. The larger reservoir measured 18.5 by 29 by 4 meters, giving it a total capacity of 2,000 cubic meters.
The smaller one measured 13 by 13 by 3 meters, with a capacity of 500 cubic meters.
Both structures were built of reinforced concrete, designed to withstand the harsh coastal environment and the immense weight of thousands of tons of water pressing against their walls.
Photographs and footage from the scene reveal the full extent of the devastation. The concrete walls of both reservoirs have been severely cracked, and in some places, completely breached.
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2026/06/10/770188/crime-against-water-us-attack-destroys-civilian-reservoirs-in-hormozgan