War-Torn Gulf Sees Multiple Oil Spills Amid Maritime Tensions

The ongoing US-Israel-Iran war has taken an environmental toll as oil spills have been detected in Iranian waters near Qeshm and Sirri islands. Satellite images captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 programme show a large area of apparent oil contamination surrounding Qeshm Island.

Wim Zwijnenburg, an environmental researcher, assessed that some of the darker areas appear to be heavy fuel oil, while a more diluted portion of the slick is estimated to extend for approximately 160 kilometres. Video footage recorded at Suza on Qeshm Island shows dark, bubbling material reaching the shoreline.

The source of the pollution has not been independently established, but it's suspected that the Minoan Pioneer, a Liberia-flagged dry bulk carrier, may be responsible after being struck by an unidentified projectile near Oman. The vessel was damaged while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on August 3, and one crew member is missing.

A separate oil spill incident has been unfolding off Oman's southern coast since June, when the Caroline Bezengi, a Suezmax tanker carrying Russian crude, ran aground near the Hallaniyat Islands. The size of this slick has increased sharply, expanding from 45 square kilometres to over 2,000 square kilometres by August 13.

The environmental impact of these incidents is being closely monitored as oil has reached parts of Oman's mainland coastline, affecting beaches around Ras Madrakah and potentially impacting up to 40 kilometres of coastline. The International Maritime Organization confirmed that oil had reached the shore, increasing concerns about its effect on marine life and sensitive coastal habitats.