A second suspected oil slick has been detected near Iran's Kharg Island export hub, maritime intelligence firm Windward AI reports, heightening fears of an environmental disaster as a larger spill identified May 8 continues drifting toward Saudi Arabian waters.
The suspected new slick was detected Sunday at 11 a.m. local time, with an estimated visible area of 12 to 20 square kilometers. The larger spill, covering approximately 65 square kilometers, is believed to be crude oil likely from aging infrastructure, pipeline ruptures, or the ongoing conflict in the region.
U.N. official Dr. Kaveh Madani warned that if the slick grows, it could threaten desalination plants and coastal communities. The spill is moving southwest, potentially reaching Qatar's exclusive economic zone within days and the United Arab Emirates in about two weeks.
The incident occurs as Washington escalates sanctions and naval presence near the Strait of Hormuz to curb Iran's oil exports, following Iran's closure of the strait in late February.