Iran's Hormuz Island red shores attract global attention
After heavy rainfall on Iran’s Hormuz Island, the turquoise waters of the Persian Gulf in southern Iran turned a striking blood-red, capturing widespread attention from international media and social networks.
🩸Heavy rain at "Sahel Sorkh" (Red Beach) in #Hormoz Island has created an astonishing scene. #nature
— News.Az (@news_az) December 17, 2025
The beach's vivid red color is due to a high concentration of iron oxide, particularly the mineral hematite, found in the island's soil and rock. pic.twitter.com/z3n6yOJKLT
Recent downpours washed the island’s iron-rich red soil into the sea, creating dramatic scenes along the coastline, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.
Videos circulating online show rainwater mixed with mineral sediments flowing from the island’s hills toward the shore, transforming the beaches into deep crimson hues.
Fox News described the phenomenon as the result of rainwater blending with mineral-rich deposits and seawater, noting that Hormuz is locally known as the “Rainbow Island” because of its colorful soils and rocks.
The network reported that intense rainfall earlier this week caused the island’s already red shoreline to darken further.
The UK’s Daily Telegraph referred to the event as a “blood rain” spectacle, reporting that nearly 100 millimeters of rain, about five times Iran’s monthly average, washed iron-rich soil into the sea.
French outlets such as 20 Minutes and France Info also highlighted the event, calling it rare and visually stunning.
India’s NDTV described the scene as a “breathtaking natural phenomenon,” explaining that Hormuz is rich in iron oxide, particularly hematite, which gives the soil and water their vivid red color.
Located near the Strait of Hormuz, the island is a major tourist attraction known for its unique geology and natural beauty.
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