Satellite Images Show Large Oil Slick Off Iran's Kharg Island

Satellite images have detected a large oil slick off Iran's Kharg Island, the country's main crude oil export terminal that handles roughly 90 percent of its oil exports. The slick, visible in imagery taken from May 6 through May 8, appears as a grey-and-white patch extending westward across the Persian Gulf.

It covers an area of approximately 45 square kilometers, or nearly 18 square miles, and is visually consistent with oil, according to analysis of open-source satellite data.

Detection Reports estimate the spill involves tens of thousands of barrels of oil. Multiple tankers were loading at the Kharg Island terminal at the time the slick was first detected. It is not yet clear whether the spill originated from a loading operation, a vessel, subsea infrastructure or the terminal itself.

The oil slick appeared to be moving south in newer images. One regional source suggested it could be the result of a leak or that oil was pumped into the sea because storage space had run out due to a blockade. The island has faced recent attacks by U.S. aerial forces.

Earlier on May 8, Iranian media reported sporadic clashes between Iranian armed forces and U.S. vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, though those clashes appeared to have ceased by evening. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei condemned what he called U.S. "aggression and adventurism" while confirming that Tehran is still reviewing a U.S. proposal and will respond soon.

“It could be the result of a leak. Other claims have suggested oil was pumped into the sea because storage space had run out due to the blockade. No official estimate of environmental damage has been released. A researcher at the Conflict and Environment Observatory told Reuters the slick appears visually consistent with oil. Monitoring continues as the spill drifts. The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the region, though no direct link between the clashes and the spill has been confirmed by officials.”