DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An enigmatic strike against an Iranian petroleum facility amid the ongoing Iran conflict has resulted in an oil spill that has impacted a protected Persian Gulf island serving as a crucial wildlife sanctuary, according to video evidence and satellite imagery.
The petroleum-contaminated waters washing ashore on Shidvar Island, an unpopulated landmass, mark another indication of the environmental destruction caused by the conflict. Contaminated precipitation has also descended upon Iran’s capital city, Tehran, following air raids on petroleum installations. Iranian strikes against vessels navigating the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman have likewise resulted in ecological harm.
Cell phone video recorded on April 9 by an Iranian citizen named Ehsan Jalali captures dense black smoke billowing following the attack on a petroleum refinery located on Lavan, an island positioned near mainland Iran close to Shidvar. The recording matches recognized characteristics of both islands and was only uploaded by Jalali to Instagram recently, as Iran’s religious government has blocked broader internet access for several weeks.
Additional video captured by Jalali depicts a deceased bird and crab coated in petroleum, while a person displays a dead swordfish.
“Poor birds, look how they are stuck in oil. Look at the herd of dolphins. Poor things come to the surface to breathe, but they swallow oil,” Jalali describes in the recording. “Look what they did to this island. Look what they have done. The corpses of fish are coming to the surface one by one.”
Images captured on April 10 from an Airbus DS Pléiades Neo high-resolution optical satellite and examined by The Associated Press on Tuesday reveal the blaze continuing to burn at the refinery 48 hours following the strike. A petroleum slick contaminates the surrounding Persian Gulf waters, encircling Shidvar Island, which locals also call Maroo Island.
“Oh my God, the sea is full of oil, oh my God, Maroo Island,” Jalali states in the footage. “The sea is full of oil, the beautiful Maroo Island is ruined now.”
Shidvar Island, measuring approximately 870 hectares (3.3 square miles), holds designation as a wetland of international significance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The location has been recognized as among Iran’s most vital nesting areas for terns, a type of seabird. Iranian authorities have classified the island as a wildlife sanctuary since 1972.
Iranian authorities have not confirmed any ecological harm resulting from the strike at the Lavan petroleum refinery, which occurred hours following an agreement between the United States and Israel for a ceasefire in their conflict with Iran. The U.S. had also requested Israel cease attacks on oil infrastructure after previously targeting facilities connected to Iran’s offshore South Pars natural gas field. That assault triggered major Iranian counterattacks against oil and gas installations throughout Gulf Arab nations, with Qatar suffering particularly severe damage.
Iranian news organizations have accused the United Arab Emirates of conducting the attack, claims not confirmed by Emirati authorities. Nevertheless, the UAE has endured more missile and drone strikes than any other nation in the conflict and has intensified its criticism of Iran as Tehran continues controlling the Strait of Hormuz.
The Emirates’ Barakah nuclear facility also suffered an attack on Sunday in a drone strike similar to others conducted by Iran and Iranian-supported groups in Iraq during the war.
