War in the Middle East: An oil slick of over 50 km2 detected in the Gulf off Iran

According to the Conflict and Environment Observatory, the cause and origin of the oil slick cannot be determined from the available satellite images.

Published on 09/05/2026 at 10:05, updated on 09/05/2026 at 17:41.

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Caption: Satellite image of an oil slick spreading off the island of Kharg, a crucial oil export terminal for Iran, on May 8, 2026. (COPERNICUS SENTINEL DATA 2026 / AFP)

Is the threat of an oil spill in the margin of the conflict between Iran and the United States diminishing? The oil slick detected in the Persian Gulf, off the Iranian island of Kharg, the country’s main oil terminal, has “significantly decreased,” observed the Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOB), based on satellite image analysis.

“The cause and origin of the slick remain unknown and cannot be conclusively determined from the available images alone,” added CEOB, while American media raised the possibility of leaks in Iranian oil infrastructure.

In recent days, satellite images appeared to show an expanding oil slick off the island, through which 90% of Iran’s crude oil normally passes. According to the UK-based NGO, this was one of the largest oil slicks seen in the Gulf since the start of the Israeli-American offensive against Iran on February 28, which triggered a war targeting numerous oil facilities on both sides. Several strikes have also targeted the island of Kharg. According to the New York Times, the slick spread over more than 50 km2 on Thursday, based on satellite images analyzed by the specialized firm Orbital EOS.