Suspected Oil Spill Detected Near Iran's Kharg Island Export Hub
Satellite imagery reveals a potential oil spill covering approximately 45 square kilometers of sea near Kharg Island.
A suspected oil spill spanning dozens of square kilometers of sea has been observed near Iran's main oil hub, Kharg Island.
The spill, visible in satellite images from May 6-8, appears as a grey and white slick to the west of the island, which stretches for approximately 8 kilometers (5 miles).
According to Leon Moreland, a researcher at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, the slick visually resembles oil and is estimated to cover an area of about 45 square kilometers.
Louis Goddard, co-founder of Data Desk, a consultancy focusing on climate and commodities, concurs that the images likely depict an oil spill, which he suggests might be the largest since the start of the US-Israel conflict against Iran approximately 70 days ago.
The United States military and Iran's mission to the United Nations in Geneva have not yet commented on these images.
The origin and cause of this potential spill remain unknown, as of May 8's satellite imagery there was no evidence of additional active spills.
Kharg Island is crucial for 90 percent of Iran's oil exports, much of which is destined for China.
The ongoing conflict has led to the blockade of Iran's ports by the US Navy in an attempt to prevent Iranian tankers from entering and exiting.
This has resulted in disruptions to crude oil supply, affecting global oil product and liquefied natural gas supplies.
The war has also caused significant disruptions in the Gulf, trapping hundreds of ships and leading to the world's largest disruption to crude oil supply.
The spill, visible in satellite images from May 6-8, appears as a grey and white slick to the west of the island, which stretches for approximately 8 kilometers (5 miles).
According to Leon Moreland, a researcher at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, the slick visually resembles oil and is estimated to cover an area of about 45 square kilometers.
Louis Goddard, co-founder of Data Desk, a consultancy focusing on climate and commodities, concurs that the images likely depict an oil spill, which he suggests might be the largest since the start of the US-Israel conflict against Iran approximately 70 days ago.
The United States military and Iran's mission to the United Nations in Geneva have not yet commented on these images.
The origin and cause of this potential spill remain unknown, as of May 8's satellite imagery there was no evidence of additional active spills.
Kharg Island is crucial for 90 percent of Iran's oil exports, much of which is destined for China.
The ongoing conflict has led to the blockade of Iran's ports by the US Navy in an attempt to prevent Iranian tankers from entering and exiting.
This has resulted in disruptions to crude oil supply, affecting global oil product and liquefied natural gas supplies.
The war has also caused significant disruptions in the Gulf, trapping hundreds of ships and leading to the world's largest disruption to crude oil supply.
