Trump’s War Poses a “Generational Threat” to Wildlife in the Persian Gulf
This story was originally published by Guardian and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. The vast, dark slicks in the Strait of Hormuz are visible from space. Throughout October, oil tankers were struck by missiles or sea mines in the waterway and spilled crude into the sea. The pollution has spread across the Persian Gulf, contaminating […]
The war between the United States and Iran has turned one of the world's most vital oil shipping lanes into a war zone, causing a growing environmental disaster in the Persian Gulf. Eight months into the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage between the Gulf and the Arabian Sea, has become a battleground, with oil tankers attacked and crude oil spilling into the sea. Satellite images, combined with the testimony of environmental experts and marine biologists, paint a grim picture of the damage caused.
The Strait, home to coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass meadows, supports a diverse range of marine life and plays a crucial role in water circulation and nutrient distribution. Even in peacetime, its ecosystems face pressures from shipping, oil extraction, and coastal development. Marine biologist Bernhard Riegl warns that the war could inflict lasting damage, as the confined waters are already under severe stress from climate change.
The heat generated by the conflict is rapidly translated into ocean heat, leading to coral bleaching and the death of algae and fish.
Since February 28, Greenpeace has identified over 500 instances of oil spills across the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Arabian Sea, covering approximately 20,000 square kilometers—the size of Wales. Over 133 attacks on oil tankers have been recorded since the conflict began, with October witnessing the most attacks. A major attack on the Gem No 2 supertanker off the coast of the United Arab Emirates created a 21-mile-long slick, while another strike in June resulted in a slick covering more than 230 square miles off the coast of Oman.
Environmental organizations stress that establishing responsibility for the pollution is complex, but Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is blamed for most attacks. US forces have also targeted tankers to counter Iranian missile attacks on US warships. However, investigations on the ground remain challenging due to restrictions imposed by domestic authorities in Iran and Gulf states.
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