Pentagon Says Iran, Russia Risks Justify Gulf Species Exemption

Global oil supply disruptions because of the war in Iran is among the Defense Department’s justifications to exempt Gulf of Mexico oil and gas production from the Endangered Species Act, according to Pentagon documents released Tuesday.

Any oil curtailment in the Gulf to help protect Rice’s whales or other species would increase energy costs, boost Russia and Iran on the global stage, and disrupt global energy markets, according to the documents.

The documents are the Pentagon’s justification for calling for Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s Tuesday meeting of the Endangered Species Committee, or “God Squad.” The committee granted Defense Secretary ...