Why US-Iran war over Hormuz is threatening the Gulf’s waters

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that the US-Iran war is increasingly spilling into the sea, with both sides striking tankers and other vessels around the Strait of Hormuz. The story says US attacks on Iranian oil tankers on September 5 and September 8 prompted retaliation by Iran, including reported strikes on vessels near the strait and a US-linked airbase in Jordan. The exchanges have heightened concern that commercial shipping in one of the world’s most important energy corridors could be hit again.

According to the article, the immediate risk is not only to ships and crews but also to the environment. With dozens of tankers waiting to move through Hormuz and others slowing in the surrounding Gulf, Al Jazeera says a single strike or sinking could release large amounts of crude into the water. That could endanger coastlines, fisheries and fragile marine habitats across the Gulf, where currents can spread pollution widely.

The piece also points to recent incidents off Oman, including the Caroline Bezengi, which grounded and began leaking oil, and the Minoan Pioneer, which caught fire after being struck by an unidentified projectile. Al Jazeera cites satellite images and expert comments to show that spills and fires have already occurred during the wider conflict.

As broader context, the report notes that the Gulf’s shallow, semi-enclosed waters support coral reefs, mangroves and other sensitive ecosystems, while regional states also depend heavily on desalinated seawater. That makes any major spill or damage to port and tanker traffic potentially costly for the environment, food supplies and water systems.