AhlulBayt News Agency: Iran’s vice president and head of the Department of Environment, Shina Ansari, has warned of serious environmental risks posed by the recent US military buildup in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, areas dense with vital oil, gas, petrochemical, and marine infrastructure.
In a letter to UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres, she stated that the growing US military presence and threats in these southern waters endanger regional and global peace, security, and the environment.
She noted that past regional conflicts have shown that environmental damage from military actions is neither temporary nor geographically limited, often leaving long‑term impacts on ecosystems and human health.
Ansari emphasized that military confrontations can cause widespread oil pollution, toxic emissions, coral reef destruction, and severe risks to coastal communities for generations.
She added that under the 1972 Stockholm Declaration and the 1992 Rio Declaration, any military action causing large‑scale marine pollution or biodiversity loss may constitute a violation of international obligations to prevent transboundary harm.
She also referenced the 1977 Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, which requires protection of the natural environment from widespread, severe, and long‑term damage during armed conflict.
Additionally, she highlighted the 1976 Environmental Modification Convention (ENMOD), which prohibits the hostile use of environmental modification techniques with severe or long‑lasting effects.
Ansari urged Guterres to prioritize the environmental threats arising from increased militarization in the region, invoking his authority under Articles 99 and 34 of the UN Charter.
She also called on UN agencies to assess potential environmental hazards and implement preventive measures.
The letter comes as US President Donald Trump has escalated his aggressive rhetoric toward Iran and ordered a significant military buildup in West Asia.
Washington has deployed two aircraft carriers, along with numerous warplanes and missile systems, as part of its hostile posture.
Iran has repeatedly stated that it will not initiate conflict but will respond decisively to any military aggression.
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