The escalating conflict in the Middle East has already caused devastating attacks on oil tankers, naval vessels, and energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. These incidents have led to confirmed oil leaks (including from sunken ships spreading slicks far afield) and heightened risks of massive spills from trapped tankers and ongoing strikes.

The Persian Gulf hosts one of the world's most biodiverse yet fragile marine ecosystems: coral reefs, seagrass beds, dugongs, turtles, dolphins, migratory birds, and vital fish stocks that support millions of people. Oil spills coat wildlife, poison habitats, disrupt reproduction, and bioaccumulate through food chains—effects that can last decades, as seen after past Gulf incidents.

Experts from the Conflict and Environment Observatory and Greenpeace warn this is an "environmental disaster waiting to happen," with dozens of tankers at risk amid mine-laying and missile threats. Ocean currents could spread toxins beyond the region, affecting global marine health.

Human conflicts must not doom innocent marine species and ecosystems. We call on the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), International Maritime Organization (IMO), and relevant governments to:

Immediately deploy neutral international teams for spill monitoring, containment, and cleanup in affected areas.

Establish a rapid-response fund for marine restoration, drawing on lessons from Deepwater Horizon and Gulf War spills.

Prioritize de-escalation measures to secure safe passage and prevent further attacks on vessels that could cause irreversible ecological harm.

Hold accountable parties responsible for documented environmental damage under international law.

Sign this petition to urge swift, collaborative action. Protecting our shared oceans and marine life is a global moral and practical imperative—before the damage becomes irreversible.

Sign now to protect the Persian Gulf's irreplaceable biodiversity!