<p>Iran has called for environmental protection to be made a key part of any future arrangement governing the Strait of Hormuz, citing recent oil pollution along the country's southern coast. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei on Thursday (Aug 13) said videos showing oil contamination along the shores of Qeshm Island had emerged in recent days. He said preliminary evidence indicated that the pollution came from a foreign bulk carrier.</p><p>According to Baqaei, contamination has been recorded at three coastal locations as well as across parts of the sea surface.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Footage filmed on Iran&#39;s Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz shows a significant oil spill on the island&#39;s Suza beach. Iranian authorities say they are investigating the cause of the spill.<br><br>Approximate location: 26.771330, 56.056013<a href="https://x.com/GeoConfirmed?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GeoConfirmed</a> <a href="https://t.co/yxh9wXLHqs">pic.twitter.com/yxh9wXLHqs</a></p>&mdash; Shayan Sardarizadeh (@Shayan86) <a href="https://x.com/Shayan86/status/2087472178786652520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>Iran questions who will pay for the damage</strong></h2><p>Baqaei argued that the incident was only one visible example of years of environmental degradation affecting the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. He said the damage to Iran's coastal areas over the decades had run into trillions of dollars and questioned who should be held responsible for the cost of repairing it.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Why must addressing the environmental condition of the Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding waters form an integral part of any future administration of the Strait?<br><br>In recent days, videos have circulated showing oil pollution along the shores of Qeshm Island. This pollution… <a href="https://t.co/UpSWlqePvd">pic.twitter.com/UpSWlqePvd</a></p>&mdash; Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) <a href="https://x.com/IRIMFA_SPOX/status/2087641049858465917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>The Iranian official pointed to several possible parties, including countries that consume energy exported from the region, shipping insurers, as well as nations involved in military operations in the Gulf.</p><p>"As the country with the longest coastline along the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, Iran cannot remain indifferent," Baqaei said. He added that all parties benefiting from commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have both a legal and moral responsibility to address environmental damage in the region.</p><h2><strong>Tehran links reopening of Strait to US demands</strong></h2><p>The comments came as Iran continues to tie the future of the strategic waterway to wider political and security demands.</p><p>Iran's newly appointed Supreme National Security Council chief Mohsen Rezaei said Tehran would not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the United States meets what he described as Iran's conditions.</p><p>Rezaei said Washington must end the war and blockade, release Iran's frozen assets, and agree to a region-wide ceasefire covering Lebanon and Gaza. "Until all conditions are met, the Strait will remain closed," he said in a post on X.</p><h2><strong>Why the Strait of Hormuz matters</strong></h2><p>The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints, carrying a major share of global oil and gas shipments.</p><p>Any prolonged disruption could affect energy markets, shipping routes and crude prices, while also increasing tensions between Iran, the United States and other regional powers. Commercial shipping is currently continuing under heightened security measures, but uncertainty remains high as diplomatic efforts focus on preventing a wider conflict and keeping the vital maritime route open.</p><p> </p>

Iran has demanded environmental safeguards be included in any future deal on the Strait of Hormuz, after oil pollution was reported along Qeshm Island. Tehran is also tying the reopening of the vital waterway to US concessions, including an end to the war and blockade.

Iran has called for environmental protection to be made a key part of any future arrangement governing the Strait of Hormuz, citing recent oil pollution along the country's southern coast. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei on Thursday (Aug 13) said videos showing oil contamination along the shores of Qeshm Island had emerged in recent days. He said preliminary evidence indicated that the pollution came from a foreign bulk carrier. According to Baqaei, contamination has been recorded at three coastal locations as well as across parts of the sea surface.

<p>Iran has demanded environmental safeguards be included in any future deal on the Strait of Hormuz, after oil pollution was reported along Qeshm Island. Tehran is also tying the reopening of the vital waterway to US concessions, including an end to the war and blockade.</p>

'Who bears responsibility?': Iran wants 'polluter pays' rule for Strait of Hormuz as oil slick plagues Qeshm

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'Who bears responsibility?': Iran wants 'polluter pays' rule for Strait of Hormuz as oil slick plagues Qeshm