Oil Spills Raise Persian Gulf Environmental Alarm

Oil pollution is spreading in two areas of the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, raising alarm over environmental damage to fragile marine ecosystems. Off Oman, the grounded tanker Caroline Bezengi is leaking Russian crude near the Hallaniyat Islands, creating a large slick in a protected zone. The vessel was carrying close to one million barrels of oil and had reported trouble while sailing from Russia toward Asia. Satellite images and aerial footage show the spill expanding, with estimates placing the affected area at hundreds of square kilometers.

The spill is especially worrying because the Hallaniyat Islands are surrounded by a reserve that supports endangered whales, turtles, seabirds and coral habitats. Omani authorities are now monitoring the slick and assessing the impact after earlier saying no spill had been detected. Pressure is rising for a salvage operation, as the tanker remains stranded and the risk grows that more crude could escape into the sea. The incident has also highlighted the problems surrounding sanctioned tankers and the so-called shadow fleet.

Separate oil pollution has also been reported in Iranian waters, including around Qeshm and Hengam islands. Iranian environmental officials say the contamination has affected coastal areas and marine waters, and they are coordinating cleanup work with local authorities, maritime organizations and communities. Some shoreline sections have already been cleared, and officials say no dead marine animals have been found so far.

Iran says the pollution is part of the wider environmental fallout from military strikes on its oil and energy infrastructure. Officials say earlier attacks caused fires, leaks and contamination around several islands and coastal areas in southern Iran, adding to concern over long-term damage in one of the region’s most sensitive maritime zones.