Suspicion of major pollution in the Persian Gulf after an oil leak from the Iranian warship IRINS Makran raises concerns about a potential environmental crisis.
We may be facing a major marine pollution incident, following the alarm caused by an oil leak from the Iranian navy ship IRINS Makran (K441), according to satellite images that became public on October 6.
The leak appears to originate from the stern of the ship, which is docked at a pier in the outer basin of Bandar Abbas.
When the IRINS Makran, with a gross tonnage of 55,909 tons, was converted from an Aframax-type tanker in 2020, the oil tanks remained in place and appear to have been used for transporting crude oil in combination with its naval activities.
However, these tanks do not appear to be the source of the leak.
This leak was not visible in the satellite images of October 4, when the IRINS Makran was at the pier next to IRINS Kurdestan (K442), a similar but smaller logistics ship that was commissioned in May of this year.
Later, on October 8, tugboats were seen moving near the IRINS Makran, although the ship was still docked.
The IRINS Kurdestan appears to have departed the port sometime after October 4, several days after the majority of the Iranian navy’s frigate fleet had already deployed, after a three-week stay together.
Participating in the mission are the intelligence collection frigate IRINS Zagros (H313) and the two Hengam-class landing craft, IRINS Tonb (L513) and Lavan (L514), which are typically used to provide logistical support for exercises or permanent operations.
The Iranian fleet deployment is likely related to the increasing tension in Yemen, from where the Houthi forces continue to launch drones and missiles towards Israel.
On September 30, the Houthi military spokesman, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, added Exxon, Mobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips and nine other American companies to the target list, essentially confirming that the truce with the US achieved through Omani mediation in May is no longer in effect.
The ongoing Houthi attacks will inevitably be met with a response from Israel, which is expected to worsen tensions in the Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, where a clearance operation is underway due to internal disagreements within the Houthi ranks.
It is possible that the Iranians are closely monitoring the Konkan 2025 exercise, this year’s joint exercise between India and the Royal Navy, which is taking place off the western coast of India, with the participation of the aircraft carriers INS Vikrant (R11) and HMS Prince of Wales (R09).
It seems that tensions in the Persian Gulf and surrounding areas are not subsiding. Concern among naval ranks, shipping companies, and the wider maritime industry remains intense. And those of us who travel there, we feel it every day.
