Since mid-July, cyberattacks have hit over 30 U.S. communities’ water treatment plants, with the Iranian government being the prime suspect.

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) had previously warned of such attacks on internet-connected devices in critical infrastructure, but it wasn’t until Minnesota that these threats materialised.

While President Trump dismissed the idea of an Iranian cyberattack, intelligence agencies now believe Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may be behind it. This comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran over a six-month conflict.

The attacks have led to temporary shutdowns in Minnesota and other states, causing minor water shortages and prompting emergency declarations. Their psychological impact is perhaps the most troubling, as they raise concerns about the safety of a fundamental need like drinking water.