Large Oil Spill Spreads Off Iranian Island

A large oil slick is spreading off Iran's Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, according to satellite images from the Orbital EOS monitoring service. The affected area is estimated to have exceeded 50 sq km and more than 3,000 barrels of oil have reportedly leaked into the sea, the New York Times reports.

The exact cause is not yet known, but experts point to growing pressure on Iran's oil infrastructure from US naval activity in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil trade.

Analysts say Iran faces a shortage of storage capacity, damaged facilities and ageing subsea pipelines that have leaked repeatedly in the past. There has also been speculation that some of the oil was deliberately released, though no evidence has emerged to support this.

Experts have warned of significant ecological consequences for coastal areas, fisheries, desalination plants and sensitive marine ecosystems in the Gulf.

(mja)