In the War with Iran, Targeting Energy Infrastructure Has Outsized Impact on Civilians

Jul 28, 2026 | Alia Sajjadian and Andrew Leber
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Damage to energy infrastructure has been a hallmark of the Iran war, with the latest escalation once again targeting energy supply chains—and even water sources—across the Persian Gulf. These tactics reflect a shared view by U.S. and Iranian officials that oil refineries, pipelines, and potentially even power plants are fair game in seeking to coerce the other side (for Iran, via pressure on the Arab Gulf monarchies) into making concessions.