Gulf oil spills threaten marine ecosystems amid US-Iran war: The Guardian

• Greenpeace identified more than 500 oil spill incidents across the Gulf, covering nearly 20,000 square kilometers.
• Environmental experts warn that oil pollution could cause damage lasting decades to marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

The environmental consequences of the war between the United States and Iran are escalating, with repeated attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters triggering widespread pollution and threatening fragile marine ecosystems, according to a report by The Guardian.

Satellite images have revealed massive oil slicks visible from space, following attacks on dozens of oil tankers using missiles and naval mines since the war began on February 28. The spills have spread across large areas of the Gulf and Arabian Sea, threatening coastlines and habitats for dolphins, turtles, fish and seabirds.

According to The Guardian, citing Greenpeace, satellite monitoring has identified more than 500 oil spill incidents covering a cumulative area of nearly 20,000 square kilometers, roughly the size of Wales.

The report also documented more than 133 attacks on oil tankers since the conflict began, with October emerging as the most dangerous month, recording more than 30 confirmed or reported attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters.

Scientists warn that oil pollution poses a serious threat to fragile ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangrove forests and seagrass meadows, which provide essential habitats for marine biodiversity.

Oil can coat mangrove roots and birds' feathers, contaminate coastal sediments and disrupt the ability of marine species to feed, reproduce and survive.

The report highlighted pollution risks affecting environmentally sensitive areas, including the Kharā mangrove forests, Iran's Shidvar Island, Qeshm Island, areas near Oman's Musandam National Park and Iran's Minab River Delta.

These locations contain coral reefs, turtle nesting sites and seabird breeding grounds, making them particularly vulnerable to oil contamination.

However, determining responsibility for individual spills remains difficult amid ongoing military operations and maritime restrictions that have hindered field investigations.

While Iran has been blamed for most attacks on oil tankers, the report also noted that US forces have targeted Iranian vessels. It further cited an Emirati airstrike on oil storage tanks on Lavvan Island, which reportedly caused the largest oil spill of the war, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The Guardian warned that cleanup operations and beach closures introduced by some Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Oman, may not be sufficient to address the long-term damage.

Oil can remain trapped in marine sediments and mangrove roots for decades, threatening food chains and the livelihoods of coastal communities dependent on fishing.

The report also cited scientific studies documenting the lasting effects of oil spills from the Iran-Iraq War and the 1991 Gulf War, with some coastal areas in Qatar and Saudi Arabia still showing signs of contamination decades later.

Researchers warn that the latest pollution could have similarly long-lasting consequences, with the recovery of coral reefs and mangrove ecosystems potentially taking several decades.

The Guardian concluded that the damage represents more than a temporary pollution crisis, warning that the war could leave a lasting environmental legacy across the Gulf, with consequences extending across generations.