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Iran using Kuwaiti suffering to pressure US on conflict, expert says

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Iran's attacks on Kuwaiti infrastructure, including power and water plants, occurred during the hottest time of year, significantly impacting civilians.
  • Experts suggest these attacks aim to pressure Gulf states to urge the US to end the conflict.
  • Iran also issued messages calling for the expulsion of American forces from the region.

Iranian attacks over the weekend severely damaged Kuwait's power generation, water desalination, and residential areas during a period of extreme heat, placing significant strain on civilian life. Dr. Courtney Freer, an expert on Middle Eastern studies, noted that these assaults could have a major effect on the country, especially given Kuwait's vulnerability to electricity blackouts during summer months due to high air conditioning demand.

It is worth pointing out that these could have a major effect on the country, given that this is the hottest time of the year. In past years, Kuwait has suffered electricity blackouts due to high demand for air conditioning as temperatures soar, so attacks on electricity infrastructure make the situation more precarious in summer.

— Dr. Courtney FreerExplaining the severe impact of Iranian attacks on Kuwait's infrastructure during a heatwave.

Temperatures in Kuwait have already reached highs of 41 degrees Celsius, with forecasts predicting some days to exceed 50 degrees. Freer suggested that Iran's targeting of civilian infrastructure might be an attempt to galvanize Kuwaitis and other Gulf states to pressure the Trump administration into ending the ongoing conflict. "Iranian attacks on civilian infrastructure therefore may be an attempt to turn Kuwaitis and others in the Gulf states against the war, such that they will pressure the Trump administration to end the fighting," she stated.

Longer-term, Iran seeks to weaken security ties between Gulf states and the United States, though Freer deems this unlikely. Adding to the pressure, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) recently urged Kuwaiti and Jordanian citizens to expel American "occupiers" and target "aggressive American institutions."

Iranian attacks on civilian infrastructure therefore may be an attempt to turn Kuwaitis and others in the Gulf states against the war, such that they will pressure the Trump administration to end the fighting.

— Dr. Courtney FreerSuggesting Iran's strategic motive behind targeting civilian infrastructure.

Freer also pointed out that attacking civilian infrastructure might be tactically easier for Iran, as air defense systems are more concentrated over military bases. Furthermore, direct attacks on US troops could provoke a harsher response from the United States.

Beyond that, attacks on US troops could bring a harsher response from the US.

— Dr. Courtney FreerProviding a reason why Iran might target civilian infrastructure instead of direct military targets.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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