Satellite imagery appears to show a large oil slick spreading off the coast of Iran’s Kharg Island, a critical hub in the country’s oil export infrastructure, according to monitoring reports cited by international media and environmental observers.

The apparent slick was detected near the western coastline of the island, which hosts Iran’s largest oil terminal along with extensive pipeline networks and storage facilities. The exact cause of the suspected spill has not yet been confirmed, and authorities have not issued an official explanation at the time of reporting.

According to Orbital EOS, a satellite monitoring group that tracks oil spills globally, the affected area was estimated to cover more than 20 square miles (approximately 52 square kilometres) as of Thursday. The organisation has been cited in reporting that highlights the scale and movement of the visible oil sheen in the region.

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The Conflict and Environment Observatory, a non-governmental organisation that monitors environmental impacts of armed conflict and industrial activity, also noted the development on social media platform X. It said the “original source remains unclear,” adding that the slick appears to be drifting southward and may not be addressed promptly. The group did not independently confirm the cause of the spill.

Kharg Island plays a central role in Iran’s oil economy, serving as the country’s primary offshore export terminal and a key point for crude shipments leaving the Persian Gulf. Its infrastructure includes pipelines, storage tanks, and export loading facilities that handle a significant share of Iran’s petroleum exports, making it strategically important to the national economy.

The island is located in the northern Persian Gulf, hundreds of kilometres northwest of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route. The region has also been affected in recent months by heightened geopolitical tensions, including disruptions to maritime activity and restrictions impacting tanker movements.

While speculation has emerged regarding possible links to operational issues or external disruptions, no verified evidence has been provided to confirm the cause of the oil slick. Environmental and maritime monitoring agencies are expected to continue tracking the movement and scale of the spill in the coming days.

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