The coral reefs of the Middle East (in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Gulfs of Aden and Oman, and the Persian Gulf) are generally in good shape, with rich, biodiverse reefs the rule, especially in the Red Sea. This is partly due to a large land area inhospitable to humans, and a relative lack of major population centers.

But the oil industry is, as always, a major pollution threat throughout the region, particularly in the Persian Gulf. Coastal development continues to destroy mangroves, and damage from coral reef tourism is on the rise, especially in the Red Sea's northern Gulf of Aqaba.