Oil spills from tankers attacked by Iran in Hormuz reach UAE coastline, report says

Oil spills caused by Iranian attacks on tankers near the Strait of Hormuz have reached the coastline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to a report in the Financial Times. This development has led to the closure of beaches in three UAE emirates - Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah - and raised concerns about the impact on marine life.

The first spill to reach the UAE coast left visible dark slicks along the beaches. In response, authorities have been coordinating cleanup operations and advising fishermen to steer clear of any polluted areas. The UAE's environment ministry has been actively involved in addressing the situation.

Marine monitor Windward has documented 12 oil spills between July and September, with one of them spreading over an extensive area of 2,000 square kilometers off the coast of Oman. Satellite imagery has also captured evidence of an oil slick near Ras Al Khaimah.

Experts have expressed serious concerns, warning that the oil spills could have severe consequences for various marine species, including turtles, dolphins, seabirds, and other wildlife. While the authorities have not yet identified the leaking vessel, marine security experts interviewed by the Financial Times have pointed to the Chinese-owned supertanker Gem No. 2 as the most likely culprit. This tanker had been hit off the coast of Sharjah more than two weeks prior to the spills being detected on the UAE's shoreline.