Environmental disaster in the Persian Gulf: Oil slicks from US-Iran war visible from space

↗ اشتراک‌گذاری

According to the Guardian, eight months into the war between the US and Iran, the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf have become a battlefield and the center of an environmental disaster. Satellite images show vast oil slicks caused by missile and sea mine attacks on tankers. Greenpeace has identified over 500 oil spills since February 28, covering a cumulative area of approximately 20,000 square kilometers. Environmental experts warn that these spills have caused irreparable damage to coral reefs, mangrove forests, and habitats for dolphins and sea turtles. Marine biologist Bernhard Riegl emphasized that the effects of this pollution could persist for decades, becoming a generational problem. While responsibility for the attacks is disputed between US forces, the IRGC, and the UAE air force, access to affected areas for accurate assessment remains extremely difficult due to the naval blockade and security restrictions.