Oil slick reaches Iran's Qeshm Island after vessel strike in Strait of Hormuz

Verified video and satellite analysis indicate that a major oil slick has washed up on Iran's Qeshm Island after a vessel was hit in the Strait of Hormuz. The spill is being linked by analysts to an attack on the Minoan Pioneer bulk carrier in Omani waters on 3 August. The pollution has spread across a wide area of the waterway and is now visible on beaches in southern Qeshm.

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BBC Verify said satellite imagery from 10 August showed the slick covering more than 300 sq km, while verified videos showed thick black oil reaching Suza beach on the island. Iranian media initially said the source of the pollution was under investigation, and Iran's foreign ministry spokesman said on Thursday that it came from a foreign bulk ship. A local environmental protection official later said the spill had been almost completely cleaned up, although that claim has not been independently confirmed.

The incident has raised concern because Qeshm sits on the northern side of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy routes. The strait carries about a fifth of global oil and natural gas trade, making any disruption there significant for shipping and regional security. Maritime intelligence data cited in the reporting indicates there have been 67 strikes on vessels in the vicinity of the strait since the US and Israel began striking Iran at the end of February.

Environmental experts say the spill threatens wildlife, protected ecosystems and fishing communities around Qeshm. The island is home to mangrove forests, nearby coral reef habitats and nesting sites for critically endangered Hawksbill turtles. On the other side of the island is the Hara Biosphere Reserve, a Unesco-designated area that supports marine life and migratory birds, adding to concern over the spread of the pollution.

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Qeshm is also described as a key strategic base for Iran's military, which gives the incident a wider security dimension beyond the environmental damage. The reporting says the island has been heavily attacked by the US, including a wave of strikes last month that killed three people according to Iranian state media. Analysts have said Iran was likely behind the attack on the Minoan Pioneer, though Iran did not acknowledge responsibility.

What remains unclear is the full scale of the damage, whether the cleanup claim is accurate, and how much oil may still be moving through the strait. It is also not yet confirmed who carried out the strike on the vessel or how the spill will affect local fishing and protected habitats in the coming days. Further verification will be needed to establish the extent of contamination and any longer-term impact on the waterway.

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