Rain creates a crimson spectacle on Iran’s Hormuz Island for the first time this year

By: The Associated Press Posted: Last Modified:

Advertisement

Advertise with us

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Rainfall on Iran's Hormuz Island briefly transformed the coastline of its famed Red Beach into a striking natural scene this week, as red soil flowed into the sea and turned the water shades of deep red.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/12/2025 (298 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Rainfall on Iran’s Hormuz Island briefly transformed the coastline of its famed Red Beach into a striking natural scene this week, as red soil flowed into the sea and turned the water shades of deep red.

The beach is known for its vivid red sand and cliffs, created by high concentrations of iron oxide.

When rain falls, as it did starting on Tuesday, streams of red soil flow toward the shoreline, coloring both the beach and the surrounding water and creating a sharp contrast with the blue waters of the Persian Gulf.

This picture, taken from video, shows how rainfall briefly transforms the coastline of its famed Red Beach into a striking natural scene on Iran's Hormuz Island, Tuesday Dec. 16, 2025. (AP Photo)
This picture, taken from video, shows how rainfall briefly transforms the coastline of its famed Red Beach into a striking natural scene on Iran's Hormuz Island, Tuesday Dec. 16, 2025. (AP Photo)

The phenomenon regularly attracts tourists, photographers and social media attention.

Beyond its visual appeal, the red soil — locally known as gelak — is exported in limited quantities and used in the production of cosmetics, pigments and some traditional products.

Hormuz Island lies in the Strait of Hormuz, where the Persian Gulf meets the Gulf of Oman, about 1,080 kilometers (670 miles) south of Iran’s capital, Tehran. Rainfall is relatively rare on the arid island, and happens mainly during the winter and early spring.

The island has become a popular destination with visitors drawn to its unusual landscapes.

Advertisement Advertise With Us

Report Error Submit a Tip

Advertisement

Learn more about Winnipeg Free Press Advertising solutions

More Stories

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Jets’ Kyle Connor (81), Dylan DeMelo (2), Mark Scheifele (55) and Cole Perfetti (91) celebrate Connor’s goal against the Colorado Avalanche during third period NHL hockey action in Winnipeg on Wednesday.

Jets encouraged by play through first five games

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Jets encouraged by play through first five games

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Yesterday at 4:21 PM CDT

Turkey. Stuffing. And a heaping helping of rest and recovery.

The Winnipeg Jets have plenty to be thankful for this holiday weekend, including a solid 3-1-1 start to the NHL campaign. Players and coaches are also counting their blessings at finally getting a breather after a busy stretch of five games in eight days.

“We don’t have another (break like this) until a week before Christmas. So we’re going to take advantage of it,” head coach Scott Arniel said following the club’s first regulation loss, a 5-1 stinker on Friday night against the visiting Anaheim Ducks.

To borrow a funny old Thanksgiving-related phrase from former defenceman Nate Schmidt, the hockey club was “leaking gravy.” They looked like a group that could use a timeout — which they’ll get since they don’t play again until hosting the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night.

Read
Yesterday at 4:21 PM CDT
KELLY-ANNE RIESS / FREE PRESS Now you see it, now you don’t. Winnipeg escape artist Dean Gunnarson stands where a historic plaque commemorating the founding of the International Brotherhood of Magicians once hung before mysteriously disappearing earlier this week.

Piece of Winnipeg’s magic history disappears

Kelly-Anne Riess 5 minute read Preview

Piece of Winnipeg’s magic history disappears

Kelly-Anne Riess 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:38 PM CDT

A piece of Winnipeg’s magic history has vanished, and internationally renowned escape artist Dean Gunnarson is offering a $500 reward to anyone who can make it reappear.

The plaque marked the birthplace of what has become the world’s largest organization of professional and amateur magicians, the International Brotherhood of Magicians, which was founded in Winnipeg more than a century ago.

Gunnarson said fellow magician and local magic historian Bruce Thompson discovered the disappearance Tuesday while on his way to work.

Thompson returned to inspect the site and found what appeared to be evidence it had been forcibly removed.

Read
Updated: Yesterday at 9:38 PM CDT
This picture, taken from video, shows how rainfall briefly transforms the coastline of its famed Red Beach into a striking natural scene on Iran's Hormuz Island, Tuesday Dec. 16, 2025. (AP Photo)

Rain creates a crimson spectacle on Iran’s Hormuz Island for the first time this year

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Rain creates a crimson spectacle on Iran’s Hormuz Island for the first time this year

The Associated Press 2 minute read Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Rainfall on Iran's Hormuz Island briefly transformed the coastline of its famed Red Beach into a striking natural scene this week, as red soil flowed into the sea and turned the water shades of deep red.

The beach is known for its vivid red sand and cliffs, created by high concentrations of iron oxide.

When rain falls, as it did starting on Tuesday, streams of red soil flow toward the shoreline, coloring both the beach and the surrounding water and creating a sharp contrast with the blue waters of the Persian Gulf.

The phenomenon regularly attracts tourists, photographers and social media attention.

Read
Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025
BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Manitoba Hydro say they had no choice but to cut down mature trees between the pathway at Elizabeth Road and the CPKC railway tracks that stretch the length of Archibald Street in Windsor Park because the trees were a hazard.

Chopped trees will leave a ‘blight’ on Windsor Park

Kelly-Anne Riess 3 minute read Preview

Chopped trees will leave a ‘blight’ on Windsor Park

Kelly-Anne Riess 3 minute read Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

Robert Gordon has watched the trees grow along a popular Windsor Park walking path for nearly six decades.

Now, as Manitoba Hydro cuts them down to protect nearby power lines, he says a familiar part of his childhood neighbourhood is disappearing.

Although he no longer lives in the area, Gordon regularly returns to walk or cycle along the tree-lined path, which runs parallel to Archibald Street.

He was concerned when he recently spotted crews clearing vegetation near the entrance to the path, but initially assumed they were removing brush. When he returned, he discovered the clearing had extended farther along the corridor.

Read
Friday, Oct. 9, 2026
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES New e-scooter legislation is set to come into effect next year in Manitoba.

Manitoba e-scooter legislation changes set to impose speed limit, age restrictions, sidewalk ban

Matthew Frank 5 minute read Preview

Manitoba e-scooter legislation changes set to impose speed limit, age restrictions, sidewalk ban

Matthew Frank 5 minute read Updated: 5:14 PM CDT

People riding e-scooters and other personal electric vehicles in Manitoba will have to strap on a helmet, stay off sidewalks and follow new age limits once new provincial rules for the devices take effect next year.

The vehicles, which also include electric skateboards, hoverboards and unicycles, will fall under The Highway Traffic Act starting in 2027, according to the province’s website. E-bikes are excluded from the new rules, according to the province’s frequently-asked-questions page.

All riders must be at least 16 years old and wear properly fitting helmets — that goes for passengers, too, the province said.

The proposed new legislation sets a speed limit of 25 km/h and would prohibit personal electric vehicles from sidewalks unless signs specifically allow sidewalk use. Riders would be using shared paths or roads with speed limits of 50 km/hr or less. They won’t be allowed to operate the vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs and they must use hand signals and obey traffic signs.

Read
Updated: 5:14 PM CDT

Bombers beat Stamps, claim season series

1 minute read Yesterday at 9:01 PM CDT

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated the Calgary Stampeders 33-28 on Saturday night in front of a sell-out crowd at Princess Auto Stadium.

With the win, the Blue and Gold improve to 8-8 and bump up to fourth in the West Division standings. If the Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-7) lose to the Montreal Alouettes (12-3) on Monday, the Bombers will move up to third.

With the loss, the Stampeders drop to 8-9 and fall to fifth place which has them currently on the outside of the playoff picture.

The Bombers now just need to finish the season with at least the same record as Calgary or Saskatchewan to qualify for the post-season since they own the tiebreaker over both West Division foes.