The United Arab Emirates has confirmed a large oil spill along the Persian Gulf coast near the Khor Al Beidah peninsula. The spill has spread across coastal waters and forced officials to close beaches in Umm Al Quwain.
The incident comes as tensions continue to rise around the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has claimed several attacks on ships in the region, but some of its latest claims have not been independently verified.
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said the oil had reached parts of the peninsula. Residents and others in the area also reported a strong smell. The ministry said the odor did not pose a health risk, but it ordered beaches to close as a safety measure.
Officials also warned fishermen to stay away from affected areas. The closures will remain in place until technical teams complete their assessment of the spill.
Authorities said containment, isolation, cleanup and environmental recovery work was underway. However, the source of the oil has not been officially confirmed by the UAE.
Oil Spill Spreads Along the Coast
The spill was first detected earlier in the week. Maritime intelligence company Windward AI reported seeing it on Tuesday and suggested it could have come from a very large crude carrier located about 16 miles off Umm Al Quwain.
Reports based on satellite imagery indicate that the slick has spread more than 22 miles and covers an area of over 60 square miles. The full extent of the environmental damage remains unclear.
Several reports have linked the spill to the tanker Gem No. 2, a vessel registered in Panama and associated with Taiwan. The ship, which has a capacity of about 302,783 deadweight tonnes, was reportedly struck on October 9.
At the time of the reported attack, the tanker was around 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazeera. However, UAE officials have not confirmed that the vessel caused the spill.
The investigation will need to establish the source of the oil and assess the impact on coastal habitats. Until then, the link between the spill and the reported tanker attack remains an allegation rather than a confirmed finding.
Iran Makes Further Claims About Ship Attacks
The spill has emerged as Iran continues to announce enforcement actions and alleged attacks on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran recently claimed that four ships involved in ship-to-ship oil transfers had been hit. These transfers form part of a system used by Gulf states to move oil toward larger crude carriers that do not enter the Gulf.
Iran has also claimed that three vessels were disabled after striking mines. However, the claims have not been independently confirmed. U.S. Central Command has stated that there are no mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier in the week, Iran’s so-called Persian Gulf Strait Authority reported that Iranian forces had carried out 40 enforcement actions. It said 122 vessels deemed non-compliant could face targeting if they crossed the strait.
The authority also said negotiations were underway with 19 additional ships to avoid being listed or to secure their removal from the list. Another 30 vessels could be added because they had not responded to notices, while two had agreed to meet conditions for removal.
These statements add to uncertainty for commercial shipping. The details and status of the reported enforcement actions have not been independently established.
Oil Prices Rise Amid Regional Tensions
Oil markets have remained volatile as traders assess the risk of further disruption to shipping. Brent crude was trading around $115 a barrel on Friday, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate rose above $100.
Analysts said prices had reached their highest levels since early May. The Strait of Hormuz is a key route for global energy shipments, so threats to vessels passing through the area can quickly affect market expectations.
U.S. President Donald Trump accused Iran of trying to raise oil prices before the U.S. midterm elections on November 3. In a social media post, he also questioned some Iranian claims about attacks and mines.
Trump said more oil was moving through the Strait of Hormuz than before the conflict began. His comments were not an independent verification of shipping activity or the disputed incidents.
UK Maritime Authorities Report Another Attack
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations office said it received a report on Thursday of an attack on a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the agency, the vessel reported being struck about seven nautical miles northeast of Limah, Oman. The tanker was able to continue its voyage after the incident.
The report adds to a series of security concerns affecting commercial vessels in the region. Authorities have reported several attacks this week, while some additional claims remain unverified.
For the UAE, the immediate priority is containing the oil spill, assessing damage and keeping people away from affected beaches. The incident also highlights the environmental and economic risks posed by continued maritime tensions near one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
