Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has issued a statement regarding significant oil pollution observed along the coast of Qeshm Island. Preliminary investigations suggest the contamination originated from a foreign cargo vessel traversing the Persian Gulf.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, Baghaei stated on social media that the incident has resulted in severe pollution across three distinct coastal sections of Qeshm Island and various areas of the sea surface.
The Iranian official emphasized that the incident at Qeshm Island is part of a broader pattern of environmental challenges observed in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman in recent years. Baghaei noted that the region's marine ecosystem is suffering from both overt and covert sources of pollution, which he claims have inflicted significant economic and ecological damage on Iran's coastal territories.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson alleged that the cumulative environmental damage caused to Iran in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman amounts to "trillions of dollars." He asserted that as a nation with one of the longest coastlines in the region, Iran places significant importance on the protection of the marine environment and will not remain indifferent to the situation.
Baghaei called upon the international community to address the question of liability for the damage to the marine ecosystem. He argued that this responsibility extends to countries consuming energy exported from the Persian Gulf, insurance companies, and parties utilizing the region for military operations and weapons testing. He added that all entities utilizing the Strait of Hormuz for commercial purposes bear both legal and moral obligations to address the environmental degradation of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.
The Persian Gulf is one of the world's most critical maritime corridors, serving as a primary route for global oil and gas exports. The region faces constant environmental pressure due to high tanker traffic, offshore drilling operations, and geopolitical tensions that frequently impact maritime safety and ecological stability.
