Iran Hormuz oil spill compensation dispute

Iran warned of environmental degradation in the Strait of Hormuz after an oil spill reached its southern Qeshm island, calling for compensation from those responsible. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei claimed preliminary evidence indicates a foreign bulk carrier as the source, but TankerTrackers, a US-hosted shipping monitor, said the spill seemed to derive from an Iranian attack on bulk carrier Minoan Pioneer in Omani waters on August 3, with the spillage drifting across the strait to Iran. The spill affected about 32,000 square metres of coastal area and 90,000 square metres of water, but was almost completely cleaned up by Wednesday evening, according to Habib Masihi, head of the environmental protection department in Iran — Hormozgan province. Milena Ansari, head of Iran's Iran — Environmental Protection Organization, questioned who should compensate for the damage. Iran has maintained control over the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the Middle East war on February 28, blocking passage of ships carrying energy exports from US-allied countries, and plans to charge navigational fees from passing vessels. The United States and some regional countries oppose any fees. The spill follows another slick near Oman from a tanker that ran aground, which an AFP investigation found had been stranded for weeks after being damaged by explosions.