Iran Warns UN of Environmental Threats from US Military Presence in Persian Gulf

In a formal letter sent on Friday, Ansari highlighted the fragile nature of the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman, emphasizing that any military activity in this area—dense with oil, gas, petrochemical, and maritime infrastructure—could have devastating consequences for both the environment and regional security.

She stressed that continued military threats could trigger widespread marine pollution, destroy coastal habitats, and harm biodiversity, citing Article 21 of the 1972 Stockholm Declaration and Article 2 of the 1992 Rio Declaration as frameworks under which such actions may violate customary international obligations to prevent transboundary environmental harm.

Ansari also referred to historical military conflicts in the region, including attacks on oil and industrial facilities, noting that their environmental impacts often extend beyond immediate areas and can persist for generations.

The letter underscores Tehran’s position that environmental considerations must be central in assessing the risks associated with military operations in strategically sensitive and ecologically critical maritime zones.