Day 544
July 17, 2026
3 incidents
- Serious Rights Violation Foreign Policy & War
US Strikes Hit Water Desalination Plant and Highway Bridges in Iran's Hormozgan Province, Cutting Drinking Water to 10,000 People (July 2026)
On July 17–18, 2026, during the renewed US bombing campaign against Iran, US airstrikes hit highway bridges, tunnels and energy infrastructure in Iran's Hormozgan province and, according to Iranian state television, an electricity and desalination plant; the regional water utility said a seawater pumping station and power transformer serving the Bunji desalination plant in Jask were destroyed. The head of Hormozgan's water utility said drinking water to 20 villages with about 10,000 residents was 'completely disrupted.' Iranian state media reported at least seven people killed in the bridge strikes; the Associated Press, citing Iranian authorities, reported eight. The UN noted a reported strike on a desalination plant in Hormozgan that disrupted safe drinking water for thousands, and reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law. CENTCOM's description of that night's targets, as quoted by AP, did not mention water infrastructure. Iran, for its part, struck a power and desalination plant in Kuwait the same week.
- Serious Rights Violation Extrajudicial Killing
Family and neighbors mourn; DHS self-defense claim unsupported by evidence
NBC News reports Salgado Araujo had lived in the US for 35 years with no criminal record and was the father of three. DHS has not provided evidence for its account. His legal team says a 'white substance' cited in an FBI search warrant was salt construction workers use to stay hydrated.
- Critical Rights and Rule-of-Law Concern Military Overreach
Strikes widen to bridges and energy infrastructure
US strikes hit bridges and energy infrastructure in Hormozgan and other southern provinces. Iran's Health Ministry spokesperson reports at least 38 killed and more than 400 wounded by US strikes; Iran strikes a power and desalination plant in Kuwait (AP via PBS NewsHour).