Oil pollution in the Strait of Hormuz is rapidly expanding, and experts are warning about its environmental consequences. Satellite images indicate an oil spill into the sea caused by missile attacks on tankers during the war between the United States and Iran.
Greenpeace Report on Oil Spills
According to a report by Greenpeace, five large oil slicks covering an area of 240 square kilometers have currently been identified in the Strait of Hormuz, although the size of these slicks is decreasing due to weather conditions. Nevertheless, experts emphasize that the environmental impacts of this pollution remain severe. Nina Noel, a Greenpeace expert, stated that "the war has severely harmed the environment" and these damages have reached new scales.
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Environmental and Human Risks
Oil spills in the Persian Gulf pose serious threats to biodiversity and human communities. Oil can be lethal to seabirds and cause significant damage to their eggs and habitats. Additionally, mangrove habitats, which shelter coastal species, are also at risk. Noel added that "mangroves are disrupted in gas exchange due to oil covering their aerial roots, which can lead to the death of the trees."
Moreover, coastal communities rely on fish that may be wiped out due to oil spills, and these spills could contaminate drinking water in Gulf countries. For instance, 90 percent of Kuwait's drinking water is supplied through seawater desalination, and this process is similar in Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Furthermore, restrictions on access to information and satellite images due to wartime conditions have made it difficult to accurately assess the extent of the damages. Wim Zwinnenberg, an environmental researcher, noted that "war generally complicates responses to such crises." He stated that these restrictions hinder the initiation of cleanup operations.
Experts believe that the environmental crisis resulting from the war in Iran and the increase in oil spills indicates that the world must move towards reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Noel emphasized that "the best prevention of long-term damage is to reduce and ultimately end our reliance on oil and gas."
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