Iran Blames US Military Presence for Gulf Waters Pollution

The Iranian foreign ministry has accused US military operations in the region of causing pollution in Gulf waters after several oil spills were reported. According to Esmaeil Baqaei, the country's foreign ministry spokesman, 'this environmental damage stems from the US military presence and the wars it has waged in the region over the past five decades.' He estimated the damage at 'trillions of dollars,' calling for the United States to be held accountable.

Last week, Iran demanded compensation after an oil slick reached the island of Qeshm, affecting beaches and a mangrove forest. Baqaei initially pointed to a 'foreign bulk carrier' as the source of the spill, but later said it had been 'completely cleaned up.' An earlier incident involved an oil slick from a tanker that ran aground off Oman's coast.

The environmental damage is not limited to this war, Baqaei noted. The Strait of Hormuz was affected by the recent oil spill, which reached the environmentally sensitive mangrove forest on Qeshm island. The damage caused to the environment in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is significant, according to Iranian officials.