Study says Iran war damaged Gulf ecosystems, proposes regional "ecological union"

Mixed · 2A new analysis says the Iran war has severely harmed sensitive marine and coastal ecosystems in the Gulf, and it urges Gulf states to form an "ecological union" to coordinate recovery. 1 2 Mixed · 2The National names the author as Dr Devaraj Asir Ramesh of Anna University in Chennai, India. The work was published in the International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Sciences, which the Jerusalem Post also cites. 1 2 Mixed · 2The study points to tanker strikes, port attacks, refinery explosions and oil spills. The National reports that it says these have reduced species numbers in some areas, and the Jerusalem Post reports that they threaten coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds and wetlands. 1 2

Centre · 1Ramesh wrote that oil spills, chemical leaks and acoustic disturbances have impaired biodiversity, fisheries, aquaculture, desalination and eco-tourism. He said Iranian strikes on the UAE were likely to have contaminated seagrass beds with hydrocarbons and to have caused auditory damage to cetaceans, and that attacks on tankers at Fujairah may have released oil. 1 Right · 1The Jerusalem Post gives more detail on the study's case examples. It says the Iranian vessel Shahid Bagheri, struck in March, was confirmed to have leaked heavy oil into the Khuran Strait for at least a month. The study predicted currents were carrying the contamination toward the Hara wetlands and the UNESCO-recognised Hara Biosphere Reserve, which the researchers say has not been cleaned up because of maritime tensions and GPS and AIS interference. 2 Right · 1The study also warns that nearly 2,000 ships stranded by attacks and the ongoing blockade carry an estimated 21 billion litres of oil. It names the Strait of Hormuz and Kharg Island as areas at risk. 2

Right · 1According to the Jerusalem Post, the analysis argues that the conflict has violated international, regional and national environmental laws and agreements, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Ramsar Convention. 2 Mixed · 2Recommendations include coral transplantation (for example at Musandam), mangrove planting at Ras Al Khor in Dubai and seagrass restoration off Abu Dhabi. The Jerusalem Post adds a regional biodiversity monitoring programme and a Gulf-wide oil spill response system, with the United Nations overseeing the ecological union. 1 2 Centre · 1The National also quotes other experts. Dr Manjula Nair of Heriot-Watt University Dubai said oil leakages affecting Iran's Siri and Qeshm islands are hard to contain during military activity, and that oil contamination of seawater threatens desalination. Dr Diana Francis of Khalifa University said air pollution has been "serious", with satellite data showing spikes in sulphur dioxide. 1

Centre · 1Doug Weir, director of the Conflict and Environment Observatory, said the scale of damage remains poorly recorded. He cited few reports, continued hostilities and restricted access to high-resolution satellite imagery. He added that conflict-linked harm often goes unaddressed and can last decades, as with clean-up in Kuwait after the 1991 oil well fires, which continues today. 1 Mixed · 2The National dates the war to the end of February, when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. The Jerusalem Post refers to a temporary ceasefire and an ongoing blockade. 1 2