Strait of Hormuz Attacks Spill Oil into Persian Gulf
As war disrupts one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, satellite images reveal that oil is spreading toward protected coral reefs and mangroves.
Oil is leaking into the Persian Gulf, spilling into the environment amid the US-Iran war. Experts have identified telltale signs of oil leaks in satellite images of the Strait of Hormuz, concluding that a crisis is unfolding. In June, a Russian tanker carrying 800,000 barrels of oil became stranded off Oman's coast, causing a major spill.
The number of large oil-laden tankers stuck in the Strait has dropped from 85 to 13, but each poses a risk for attack and a potential spill. Greenpeace estimates over 100 spills since the war began, using satellite imagery to track them. However, there may be more spills due to GPS spoofing in the region. Greenpeace has identified five major oil slicks, covering 240 square kilometers, about four times the size of Manhattan.
These slicks are spreading into protected ecosystems, including a national park in Oman and mangrove forests near Iran's Minab River Delta. Oil can sink into sediment and harm ecosystems for years. It's particularly dangerous for seabirds and mangrove habitats, which are critical for coastal species. Coastal communities also face risks, as oil contaminates water supplies used for drinking.
Cleanup is challenging due to the war, with limited access to satellite imagery and on-the-ground reports. Environmental groups argue that the war highlights the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels to prevent further environmental damage.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
