Oil Leak Near Qeshm Island; 65 Tanker Incidents Recorded in Strait of Hormuz Since March

According to Jin10 data on August 12, Iran is dealing with an oil leak near Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf, highlighting environmental risks amid ongoing tanker attacks. Satellite imagery shows a dark oil slick near the coastal village of Sibedu Raz, an area critical for endangered hawksbill sea turtle breeding, with black sediment observed on nearby beaches. Iran's Student News Agency reported cleanup efforts are underway.

The incident coincides with escalating maritime attacks during the five-month U.S.-Iran conflict. The International Maritime Organization has recorded 65 related incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and broader Middle East region since early March. TankerTrackers suggests the leak may stem from an Iranian attack on a bulk carrier earlier this month, though Iran's Student News Agency did not confirm the pollution source.