Capitals, March 31 (SANA) – International warnings are mounting over the risk of a large-scale environmental disaster if Iran continues targeting oil tankers in the Arabian Gulf, as any major spill could cause widespread damage to marine and coastal ecosystems across the region.
The risks extend beyond economic losses and disruptions to maritime traffic, posing a direct threat to biodiversity and marine life with potentially long-term environmental consequences.
In this context, the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said Tuesday that one of its tankers was attacked while docked at Dubai port, causing a fire and material damage, with concerns that oil could leak into surrounding waters as the vessel was fully loaded at the time of the incident.
The UAE government said it is continuing to assess the damage, with particular focus on potential environmental impacts along nearby coastal areas.
Rapid pollution difficult to contain
According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), oil that reaches the sea surface begins to spread and change quickly under the influence of wind, waves and evaporation, dispersing across large areas or mixing into the water column and eventually settling on the seabed.
This rapid spread means environmental damage can easily cross national boundaries, exposing marine organisms to direct and indirect risks that threaten their survival.
Ecosystems under pressure
Studies and environmental reports indicate that early life stages of marine organisms, such as eggs and larvae, are particularly vulnerable to oil pollution. Seabirds are also heavily affected when their feathers become coated with oil, while turtles and marine mammals face poisoning risks through inhalation or ingestion.
Fish stocks may suffer from both immediate mortality and contamination, creating potential impacts on food security and supply chains.
When oil reaches shorelines, coastal ecosystems face additional pressure. Beaches can become covered with persistent oil layers, while fragile environments such as salt marshes may suffer long-term damage due to trapped oil that is difficult to remove.
Major incidents such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 demonstrate how contamination can affect the sea surface, seabed and coastal areas simultaneously, making environmental recovery complex and prolonged.
Air pollution risks
If fires erupt aboard damaged tankers, the threat can extend from the sea to the atmosphere. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says burning oil releases large quantities of pollutants including carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter.
Smoke from oil fires may also contain toxic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are associated with significant environmental and health risks.
The World Health Organization warns that exposure to these pollutants can irritate the respiratory system and worsen chronic illnesses such as asthma and heart disease, while also increasing the risk of lung cancer, particularly among vulnerable groups including children and the elderly.
These risks are amplified in semi-enclosed environments such as the Arabian Gulf, where shallow waters, high temperatures and heavy maritime activity can accelerate the spread of pollution and its arrival at coastlines and fishing grounds.
Calls for international cooperation
The International Maritime Organization says oil pollution incidents require coordinated regional and international responses due to their cross-border nature, stressing the need to strengthen emergency preparedness and environmental response plans.
With tensions continuing in the region, attacks on oil tankers pose not only security risks but also a growing threat to the environment, public health and the regional economy, prompting calls for urgent international action to prevent a potential environmental disaster.
Kh.A
