Iran has accused the United States of contributing to environmental damage in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, following a series of reported oil spills in the region.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the pollution should be viewed in the wider context of decades of military activity and conflict involving the United States in the region. Speaking at a news briefing, he argued that the environmental consequences extend beyond the most recent incidents.
According to Baqaei, the damage affecting the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman cannot be attributed to a single event or recent conflict alone. He said Iran believes the United States should be held responsible for the wider environmental impact and estimated the potential damages at “trillions of dollars.”
The comments come after Iran called for compensation over an oil slick that reached Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. The spill affected parts of the coastline and an environmentally sensitive mangrove forest, raising concerns about the impact of oil pollution on marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
Iranian officials previously said preliminary evidence pointed to a foreign bulk carrier as the source of that spill. Authorities later reported that the affected area had been completely cleaned up.
Meanwhile, Oman has also reported an oil slick reaching its coastline after a tanker ran aground off the country’s coast. The incident added to growing environmental concerns around a strategically important maritime region where shipping, energy infrastructure and geopolitical tensions frequently intersect.
The latest accusations highlight a broader issue that often receives less attention during regional conflicts: the environmental cost of military activity and maritime accidents.
For communities living along the Gulf, pollution is not simply a political argument. Oil reaching beaches, mangrove forests and marine habitats can threaten ecosystems, livelihoods and coastal economies long after the headlines disappear.
Iran’s demand for compensation is likely to fuel further debate over responsibility, accountability and the environmental consequences of decades of conflict and military operations in the region. However, individual pollution incidents and their causes remain matters that require evidence and independent investigation.
