TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, August 17, 2026, blamed pollution in Gulf waters on United States military operations following several reported oil spills in the region.
Golden Info reports that foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei attributed the environmental degradation to American military activities during a press briefing. “This environmental damage stems from the US military presence and the wars it has waged in the region over the past five decades,” Baqaei said.
“The damage caused to the environment of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is not solely linked to this war,” Baqaei said. He called for the United States to be held accountable for the pollution, estimating the total environmental damage at trillions of dollars.
Last week, Iran requested compensation after an oil slick in the Strait of Hormuz reached Qeshm island, affecting beaches and an environmentally sensitive mangrove forest. Baqaei cited preliminary evidence identifying a foreign bulk carrier as the source of that spill, which Iranian officials later confirmed was completely cleaned up.
Earlier, Omani state media reported that an oil slick from a tanker that ran aground off Oman had reached the coastline. An investigation by AFP established that the vessel had remained stranded for weeks near Al-Qibliyyah island after sustaining damage from explosions.