Iran dismissed on Saturday allegations it deliberately discharged crude into the Gulf and instead blamed a foreign tanker for the pollution near the Kharg Island.
Jafar Pourkabgani, a member of Iran’s parliament representing Bushehr, said claims that Iran dumped excess oil due to full storage tanks are “completely unfounded” and part of “psychological warfare.”
In a post on X, he attributed the slicks detected by satellite imagery to oil and ballast water released by a European tanker, describing the incident as a source of significant environmental damage.
An Iranian lawmaker rejected claims that Tehran had dumped oil into the sea near Kharg Island after satellite images showed large oil slicks around the key export hub.
— Breaking News & Views (@Jaswind83175034) May 9, 2026
Jafar Pourkabgani, a member of parliament representing Bushehr province, said the slicks were caused by “oil… pic.twitter.com/h9w2Trv00o
Satellite analysis cited by The New York Times indicates the spill has spread over more than 20 square miles (52 square kilometers), making it one of the largest observed in the Gulf in recent months. UK-based monitoring firm Orbital EOS said the scale of the slick is notable amid heightened regional tensions following the Israeli-American aggression on Iran on February 28.
For its part, the Conflict and Environment Observatory noted that the origin of the spill is still unclear, warning that it is drifting southward and may not be effectively contained.
Satellite data points to possible oil spill near Iran's Kharg Island
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) May 9, 2026
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A suspected oil spill spanning dozens of square kilometers has been detected in waters near Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, based on satellite images captured this week.
The possible spill, visible… pic.twitter.com/b2vt6mwydx
The incident has drawn attention due to its proximity to Kharg Island, the backbone of Iran’s oil industry, through which roughly 90 percent of the country’s crude exports pass. Located north of the Strait of Hormuz, the island is a critical artery for global energy supplies, amplifying concerns over both environmental risks and potential disruptions to oil markets.
Source: Iranian media (translated and edited by Al-Manar)