SouthernWorldwide.com – A second suspected oil slick has been detected near Iran’s Kharg Island, a crucial oil export hub, raising concerns about a potential major environmental disaster. This comes as a larger spill, identified on May 8, continues to drift towards Saudi Arabian waters.
Maritime intelligence firm Windward AI reported the detection of the new suspected slick, adding to the growing fears of an environmental catastrophe in a vital global oil corridor. The United Nations had previously warned of the dire consequences of oil spills in the region, particularly amidst the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.
Windward AI informed Fox News Digital that the second potential oil spill was observed at 11 a.m. local time. The firm estimated the visible area of this new slick to be between 12 and 20 square kilometers.
While Iran has attributed the incidents to foreign vessels, maritime experts suggest that the main slick, estimated to be tens of thousands of barrels and covering approximately 65 square kilometers, is more likely a result of aging infrastructure, pipeline ruptures, or the volatile “war mode” environment that has threatened the waterway since February.
Dr. Kaveh Madani, a UN official, urged caution and careful monitoring of the situation. He stated that if the slick continues to grow, it could indicate leakage from aging infrastructure. Madani noted that the slick was moving southwest of the island.
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The primary concern, according to Madani, is whether the slick will move closer to populated areas. If it does, desalination operations might need to be halted, although the current risk is considered low. He also pointed out the slick’s proximity to a zone with a high concentration of pipelines and energy infrastructure.
Madani highlighted the challenges Iran faces in maintaining its infrastructure due to sanctions, even during peacetime. He warned that in the current conflict-ridden environment, a major accident is highly probable. The slow water circulation in the Persian Gulf means that pollution can persist for extended periods, he added.
He recalled similar incidents during the Gulf Wars and the Iran-Iraq War, which had significant impacts on coastal communities, the fishing industry, marine life, and the intake systems of desalination plants.
The larger spill, visible in satellite imagery as a gray-and-white slick, was first reported by Windward AI on May 8, west of Kharg Island. It has been steadily moving since then.
Windward AI believes the spill is crude oil rather than bunker fuel and is unlikely to have originated from a ship. Instead, it may be linked to pipeline issues or a failed ship-to-ship transfer.
According to Windward’s projections, the spill could enter Qatar’s exclusive economic zone within approximately four days and potentially reach landfall near Al Mirfa in the United Arab Emirates in about 13 days.
This incident occurs as the United States intensifies its “Economic Fury” campaign, imposing stricter sanctions and increasing its naval presence near the Strait of Hormuz to curb Iran’s oil exports. Since Iran closed the strait in late February following the outbreak of hostilities, tankers have experienced bottlenecks in the region, as the vital oil chokepoint remains largely shut.
Madani also pointed out the presence of numerous tankers in the area, increasing the possibility of accidental spills. He emphasized that while the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and the region is in a state of conflict, environmental concerns may not be the top priority, but monitoring tanker activity is crucial.
Meanwhile, Jafar Pourkabgani, a lawmaker from Bushehr province, claimed the slick was caused by “oil residue and ballast water waste from European tankers.” However, this assertion has been dismissed as false and part of an enemy’s psychological operation, particularly in light of allegations that Iran is releasing oil due to full storage tanks.
Iran’s Oil Terminals Company has also denied reports of a leak near Kharg Island, according to Reuters. The company’s chief executive stated on Sunday that inspections revealed no evidence of leaks from storage tanks, pipelines, loading facilities, or nearby tankers.
