Iran Blames US Military Presence for Gulf Pollution After Oil Spills

Iran has accused the United States of contributing to environmental pollution in the Gulf following a series of oil spills reported in the region.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei made the accusation on Monday, linking the environmental damage to US military operations and conflicts in the region over several decades.

“This environmental damage stems from the US military presence and the wars it has waged in the region over the past five decades,” Baqaei said during a news briefing.

He argued that the environmental impact extends beyond the latest incidents, saying the damage to the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman was not solely connected to the current conflict.

Baqaei called for the United States to be held responsible for the environmental consequences and estimated the overall damage at “trillions of dollars.”

Oil Spill Reaches Qeshm Island

Iran’s latest accusations came after an oil slick in the Strait of Hormuz reached Qeshm Island last week.

The spill reportedly affected beaches and a sensitive mangrove forest, raising concerns about the impact on the island’s coastal ecosystem.

Iran had earlier called for compensation over the pollution.

Baqaei initially said preliminary evidence pointed to a foreign bulk carrier as the source of the spill. Iranian authorities later reported that the affected area had been completely cleaned up.

Another Spill Reported Near Oman

The pollution concerns have also extended to neighbouring Oman.

Omani state media previously reported that an oil slick from a tanker that ran aground off the country’s coast had reached the shoreline.

The vessel had reportedly remained stranded for weeks near Oman’s Al-Qibliyyah island after suffering damage in explosions.

The latest incidents have renewed concerns over the environmental risks posed by oil spills and maritime accidents in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.