The highly contested Strait of Hormuz is home to dolphins and the most diverse coral population in the region. Currently, about 2,000 vessels are trapped in the Persian Gulf carrying around 21 billion liters of oil. Greenpeace has detected oil slicks from Iranian vessels, including that of the Shahid Bagheri, which is leaking oil near the Khuran Strait. The strait's position makes it a crucial site both politically and ecologically, as it sits at a transition zone between the Gulf of Oman and the shallow Persian Gulf. Scientists are increasingly concerned about the impact of oil spills on animals in the area, with many of the compounds found in crude oil affecting heart function and respiration. These compounds can also disrupt animals’ nervous systems, impairing their senses and ability to navigate, process input, and orient themselves in their environment.