Oil pollution has spread along the southern coasts of Iran's Qeshm and Hengam islands, covering about 32,000 square meters (344,000 square feet), ISNA reported on Thursday. Several cleanup teams have been working in affected areas since Wednesday, including a large group of local volunteers, the news agency said. Authorities are still investigating the source of the pollution in coordination with Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization and Qeshm port authorities.

OIL SPILL HITS IRAN’S QESHM ISLAND Iran is battling an oil spill off Qeshm Island, with pollution reaching beaches near a breeding ground for endangered sea turtles. The spill’s source remains unclear, but cleanup efforts are underway. Environmental risks have risen sharply during the U.S.-Iran war, with the International Maritime Organization recording 65 confirmed shipping incidents across the Strait of Hormuz and Middle East since March. A separate oil spill is also being addressed near Oman’s coast.

Oil industry profits are soaring: Earnings for 5 major Western oil companies are on track to surge to ~$44 billion in Q2 2026, the 3rd-largest quarterly total on record. The only quarters with larger profits were Q2 and Q3 2022, when oil prices exceeded $120/barrel. This comes as ExxonMobil, $XOM, posted $14.7 billion in profit, its strongest quarter since Q3 2022. At the same time, Chevron, $CVX, reported a record $12.1 billion quarterly profit, surpassing its previous high set in 2022. Meanwhile, Shell, $SHEL, reported $9.8 billion in profit in Q2, its 2nd-largest quarterly profit in the company's history. Oil companies are cashing-in massive gains amid the Iran War.