Oil spill hits UAE beaches as tanker attacks multiply near Hormuz

The UAE's Ministry of Climate Change is addressing an oil spill affecting Umm Al Quwain's beaches, following a tanker incident linked to ongoing regional conflicts. Teams have been deployed for containment and cleanup efforts after a projectile struck the oil tanker GEM NO.2, causing a fire. Residents reported unusual oil smells, and the emirate's beaches have been closed. The situation is part of a broader pattern of maritime attacks in the Gulf, particularly near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, where tensions between Iran and the US have escalated. Iran's IRGC has claimed responsibility for targeting vessels in the area, asserting control over certain routes despite international maritime law.