Second Oil Slick Detects Near Iran Kharg Island Export Hub
A second suspected oil slick appeared near Iran‘s Kharg Island export terminal on Sunday, May 10, 2026, according to maritime intelligence firm Windward AI. The discovery follows an earlier, larger spill detected on May 8 that continues to drift toward Saudi Arabian waters amid a regional maritime crisis.
The new potential spill was identified at 11 a.m. local time as reported by Fox News. Windward AI estimates the visible area of this second slick covers between 12 to 20 square kilometers, adding to the environmental pressure in the Strait of Hormuz region.
Maritime experts suggest the primary slick, spanning approximately 65 square kilometers, likely stems from deteriorating infrastructure or pipeline failures. Dr. Kaveh Madani, a United Nations official, warned that the incident highlights the vulnerability of aging energy systems under current regional tensions.
Regional Tensions and Environmental Concerns
Dr. Madani noted that while the current risk to population centers is low, any expansion of the slick could necessitate the suspension of local desalination plant operations. The pollution is moving toward the southwest of the island, potentially impacting coastal communities and marine life.
“If this slick gets bigger, we should be seriously worried about there being a leakage of aging infrastructure,” said Dr. Kaveh Madani, U.N. official. He emphasized that maintenance of these systems has been hindered by long-term sanctions. He expressed concern that a major accident is highly probable given the current state of conflict and regional bottlenecking.
“We just have to see how it moves and if it gets closer to the centers of population. If it does, desalination operations also must be halted. The risk is low right now,” said Dr. Kaveh Madani, U.N. official.
Historical Precedents and Long-term Impact
Historical precedents from the Iran-Iraq War and Gulf wars show that pollution in the Persian Gulf persists due to slow water circulation. Dr. Madani warned that the environment is often sidelined during periods of geopolitical hostility.
“Keeping these infrastructure systems healthy and operational has been very hard for the Iranians even in peacetime due to sanctions,” said Dr. Kaveh Madani, U.N. official. He further explained the long-term impact on the fishing industry and the risks posed by the high concentration of tankers currently navigating the area due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
“We saw similar instances during the Gulf wars and the Iran-Iraq War, with these things impacting coastal communities, the fishing industry, marine life and even the intake of desalination plants,” said Dr. Kaveh Madani, U.N. official.
Projections and Concerns
Windward AI reported that the initial spill, detected May 8, is believed to be crude oil rather than bunker fuel. Projections indicate the spill could enter Qatar’s exclusive economic zone within four days and potentially reach the United Arab Emirates in 13 days.
“We also know that there are many tankers in the area, so there is a chance of an accidental spill,” said Dr. Kaveh Madani, U.N. official.
The intelligence firm noted that the spill likely originated from pipeline issues or a failed ship-to-ship transfer. This occurs as U.S. sanctions continue to target Iranian oil exports and naval presence in the region increases.
As the situation unfolds, regional authorities and international organizations are closely monitoring the developments, emphasizing the need for swift action to mitigate the environmental impact of these spills.
Original Article: Second Oil Slick Detects Near Iran Kharg Island Export Hub — Harianbasis