Mohammad Javad Ashrafi, the Director General of Khuzestan’s Department of Environment has strongly criticized the environmental performance of some companies operating in Iran’s Azadegan oil field, announcing that no new oil development permits will be issued in West Karun until fundamental environmental challenges — including improper waste management, excessive flaring, and risks to the Hour-al-Azim Wetland — are fully resolved.
According to the PR Office of the Department, he added: “Future development will only be allowed step by step and after all environmental commitments are fulfilled.”
The official stressed that development must not come at the expense of vital ecosystems, especially Hour-al-Azim, and called for immediate corrective actions by certain operators.