Recent satellite imagery has revealed the emergence of two oil slicks in Iranian waters, raising alarm regarding potential environmental damage in the Gulf amidst ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran over tanker attacks. This concern is compounded by a separate incident off the coast of Oman where the grounded vessel, Caroline Bezengi, is leaking Russian crude oil, creating an estimated 2,000 square kilometers of pollution in a designated marine sanctuary.
One of the newly identified slicks is located near Qeshm Island, known for its dolphin-like shape, as captured by Sentinel-2 satellites. Environmental researcher Wim Zwijnenburg noted the presence of heavy fuel oil, which was observed to be seeping ashore, sparking additional worry from experts. John Amos of SkyTruth emphasized the significance of this slick, indicating that it is the largest seen in recent times related to the ongoing conflict.
The slick is believed to have originated from the Minoan Pioneer, a bulk carrier targeted in a suspected Iranian attack recently. Maritime security experts have linked the oil pollution reaching Qeshm Island to this vessel. Efforts to clean up the spills in the Gulf have been hampered by regional conflicts, prolonging the environmental impact as oil continues to leak and spread.
