TEHRAN, IRAN — Iran has accused the United States of contributing to environmental pollution in the Gulf, linking recent oil spills in the region to decades of American military operations and conflicts.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei made the allegation on Monday during a news briefing, arguing that the environmental damage affecting the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman cannot be separated from the long-standing US military presence in the region.
“This environmental damage stems from the US military presence and the wars it has waged in the region over the past five decades,” Baqaei said.
He added that the environmental impact extends beyond the most recent incidents, stressing that the damage to the Gulf and the Sea of Oman has accumulated over many years.
Baqaei called for the United States to be held responsible for the environmental consequences of its activities in the region and estimated the overall damage at “trillions of dollars.”
His comments came after an oil slick reached Iran’s Qeshm Island last week, contaminating sections of the coastline and threatening a sensitive mangrove ecosystem.
Iranian authorities had previously demanded compensation over the incident. Baqaei said preliminary investigations had pointed to “a foreign bulk carrier” as the source of the spill.
Iranian officials later announced that the affected area had been completely cleaned up, although the incident renewed concerns about the environmental risks posed by increased maritime activity in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest controversy also follows reports from neighbouring Oman of another oil spill. Omani state media said an oil slick from a tanker that ran aground off the country’s coast had reached the shoreline.
An earlier investigation by AFP found that the vessel had remained stranded for several weeks near Al-Qibliyyah island off Oman after sustaining damage in explosions.
The incidents have raised fresh concerns over pollution in one of the world’s most strategically important maritime regions, where heavy shipping traffic and geopolitical tensions have increased environmental risks.
Iran’s latest accusations are likely to add another layer to the already strained relations between Tehran and Washington, with the environmental dispute emerging alongside broader disagreements over US military activity and regional security.
Iran has continued to demand greater accountability for environmental damage in the Gulf, while the circumstances surrounding the recent oil spills remain the subject of investigation.
