War-Torn Region Fights Environmental Scars Amid Ongoing Conflict

Oil spills in the Persian Gulf have been detected since the beginning of the war between the US and Iran, affecting the Hara mangrove forests on Qeshm Island. Iranian authorities are still assessing the extent of the contamination, but several oil slicks have reached the Khuran Strait, which separates Qeshm from mainland Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz is not only a critical energy chokepoint, but also an ecological one, supporting mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, fisheries, and coastal communities. The war has exposed both geopolitical and environmental risks in the region, with prolonged conflict increasing the likelihood of further accidents, infrastructure damage, pollution, and interrupted environmental management.

Containment is the first priority in Qeshm, but authorities need to establish the source and chemical characteristics of the contamination, map its spatial extent, combine field observations with satellite monitoring, and sample water and sediments. The response must also avoid causing additional damage, as high-pressure hot-water washing can be more harmful than good.