Tehran: Iran's Foreign Ministry has emphasized the importance of addressing the Strait of Hormuz's environmental condition in any future administrative framework. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei highlighted the necessity of incorporating environmental considerations into the management of the crucial waterway.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Baqaei used his X account to stress the significance of this issue. He pointed to recent videos that show oil pollution along the shores of Qeshm Island, identifying a foreign bulk carrier as the potential source of contamination. This pollution has been documented at three coastal sites and parts of the sea surface.
Baqaei remarked that this incident exemplifies the broader pollution challenges affecting the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, which have led to significant environmental degradation and financial losses for Iran's coastal areas over the years. He questioned the accountability for these damages, asking whether responsibility lies with energy-consuming nations, shipping insurers, or those who have militarized the region.
As the nation with the longest coastline along these waters, Baqaei asserted that Iran is deeply concerned about the issue. He insisted that all parties benefiting from commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have both a legal and moral duty to address and remedy the environmental damage in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.