CNBC. (2021, July 22). Iran opens new oil terminal in bid to bypass the Crucial Strait of Hormuz for exports. Retrieved July 25, 2021, from https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/22/iran-opens-new-oil-terminal-in-bid-to-bypass-crucial-strait-of-hormuz-for-exports.html.
Iran opened their first oil terminal east of the Gulf of Oman. The terminal started in 2019, reducing insurance expenses and transportation expenses for oil tankers. Majority of oil exports from the Middle East transport in the Strait of Hormuz. Being to the east of the Gulf allows for access to the Arabian Sea. Though while Trump was president he and his administration had decided to re-impose sanctions on Iran’s exports of oil, therefore limiting the oil exports of Iran to half of per usual exports, majorly affecting the Iranian economy. But this new terminal is not covered by the sanctions and therefore will plan to export 1 million barrels of oil per day according to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s.
This article introduces what could be a new problem to our world considering crude oil’s/petroleum are very harmful and a thing of the past that the world is trying to move on from. This relates to environmental sciences as this problem will only allow for more pollution to the world as exports of oil will be increased and therefore a spiral effect of increases in oil usage, oil mining, and many pollutions as a result. The progress that has been made to limit oil usage and oil pollution will stop if not regress due to the topics of this article. And although the sanctions may hurt the economy of Iran they are put in place to help limit the destruction to our environment, but by trying to find ways around the sanctions only creates more problems for a short term solution. I understand why this is being done but I personally think that this is selfish. Rouhani is doing this to help himself and his country but is not thinking of the impact of his mistake in the bigger picture than just his world.
Kyle- Your post brings up something that doesn’t just apply to Iran but other countries sitting on lots of fossil fuels… including Canada, the US, China, and Australia to name a few. From a short term economic perspective they want to sell those resources. While I am with you in spirit, for sure, should Iran not have a similar right to sell oil as Canada? The challenge is how to reduce demand for these fossil fuels. You’ve got an important topic. As much as we want to get away from oil, it is still part of our life blood. Interesting how all the news was focused on Iran… until Afghanistan took the headlines.
Thank you for your comment, I am really intrigued in with what you brought up. I hadn’t thought about how all the news was focused on Iran as other countries still are doing the same, maybe it was media attempting to paint a picture on the middle east as they tend to get more media coverage on this topic and opposed to places like Canada who are still very prevalent in the exports. I guess I was clouded in my assessment as it seems to be majority of oil exports tend to come from the Middle East and Iran even with Canada having a large amount of wells, and I tried to use Iran as a case study to say that we should attempt to limit oil exports in general not just focusing in on Iran. But I do agree the problem is not the exporting but the actual need for oil, allowing for the export rates to be so high.