Threatening ecosystems and fisheries: large-scale oil spill recorded in the Strait of Hormuz

A large oil slick has been recorded in the Strait of Hormuz, which spread after the Minoan Pioneer was hit. The area of contamination exceeds 300 sq. km, which is approximately equivalent to 40,000 football fields.

This is reported by the BBC .

Satellite images show that the spill began after an attack on a vessel in Omani waters on August 3. A week later, a fuel leak from the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Minoan Pioneer spread over a significant area of the strait.

Satellite images from August 10 showed a spill measuring more than 300 square kilometers. SkyTruth CEO John Amos estimated the spill volume at well over 380,000 liters of oil.

“This is what I would call a big oil slick,” Amos said.

The spill poses a threat to wildlife, protected ecosystems and fishing communities. Near Qeshm Island are mangroves, turtle nesting sites and fishing grounds.

Iran has not claimed responsibility for the attack on the vessel, but analysts believe it was likely behind the attack. The extent of the damage to marine life is currently being assessed.

By the way, Iran is considering allowing European countries to participate in the demining of the Strait of Hormuz for the first time . Such a move could help restore safe shipping and influence further negotiations with the United States.

It was previously reported that on the night of July 15, the United States launched a new series of strikes on Iranian military facilities and announced the resumption of a naval blockade of ships heading to or leaving Iranian ports .

The day before, Iranian cruise missiles hit two tankers flying the flag of the United Arab Emirates in the Strait of Hormuz . The attack killed one crew member and injured eight others, including two Ukrainian citizens.

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