Hormuz Strait Oil Slick Spreads After US Strikes on Iran Tankers
A massive oil slick has formed in the Strait of Hormuz after a series of US strikes on Iranian oil tankers, covering an area of up to 400 square kilometres. The spill is believed to have originated from the tanker Riesco, which was last detected near the affected area before going dark.
According to satellite imagery and data from Greenpeace, the slick has doubled in size since September 9, when it covered approximately 200 square kilometres. Thermal anomalies consistent with an oil release were detected on the evening of September 8 or during the following night, suggesting that the spill likely began then.
The US Central Command had previously announced its destruction of several Iranian oil tankers, including Kaviz, Charminar, Horizon 1, and Riesco. The slick is currently drifting offshore, but environmental groups have warned that the situation could become more serious if crude reaches the coastline.