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Godsent Ogbebor
Iran blames US for Gulf pollution after oil spills
Iran has blamed the United States military presence and decades of conflict in the region for environmental pollution in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman following recent oil spills.
The Iranian government said the environmental damage in the region should not be viewed solely in connection with the latest incidents, arguing that years of military activities and wars have contributed significantly to the degradation of Gulf waters.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, made the remarks during a news briefing on Monday, where he called for the United States to be held accountable for what he described as extensive environmental damage running into trillions of dollars.
“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.
He added that the damage to the environment of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman was not limited to the current conflict.
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The comments follow growing concerns over oil pollution in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters, where recent spills have affected coastal areas and environmentally sensitive locations.
Last week, Iranian authorities called for compensation after an oil slick reached Qeshm Island, affecting beaches and a mangrove forest.
Baqaei said preliminary findings had identified a foreign bulk carrier as the possible source of the spill. Iranian officials later announced that the affected area had been cleaned up.
The development came after Omani state media reported that oil from a tanker which ran aground off the coast of Oman had also reached parts of the coastline.
The vessel had reportedly been stranded for weeks near Oman’s Al-Qibliyyah Island after sustaining damage from explosions.
Iran’s latest position places renewed attention on the environmental consequences of military activity and maritime incidents in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways, as authorities in the region continue efforts to address the impact of the oil spills.
