United Arab Emirates has confirmed that a large and expanding oil spill has been observed along the shores of the Persian Gulf in the Al-Bayda Peninsula. This spill occurs as Iran continues its claims regarding attacks on tankers, and these developments are linked to the Israeli legislature elections on October 27 and the U.S. midterm elections on November 3.
Details of the Oil Spill and Its Impacts
The oil spill was first observed earlier this week and is likely the result of one of the tankers that were attacked earlier this month. The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment was compelled to confirm this spill as the oil has reached many shores of this peninsula, and a strong odor has been reported. The ministry stated that the odors pose no health risks, but it has closed the Umm Al-Quwain beaches and asked fishermen to stay away from the affected areas.
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Impacts on Oil Market and Reports of Attacks
This spill occurs while oil markets remain anxious and unsettled. Brent crude oil prices have reached around $115 per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate oil is also above $100. The spill, due to its expansion over an area of more than 60 square miles and according to reports, is likely related to the Taiwanese tanker Gem No. 2 (with a capacity of 302,783 tons) that was attacked on October 9. This tanker was attacked 13 nautical miles west of Algeria.
Iran is also continuing its claims regarding attacks on other vessels, which have not been independently verified. Iran has stated that it targeted four vessels that were transferring oil to larger tankers and has also identified three vessels that were forced to stop due to hitting mines. However, the U.S. Central Command claims that there are no mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's Actions and Regional Situation
Throughout the week, what is known as Iran's "Gulf Strait Organization" released information stating that Iranian forces have carried out 40 operational actions. This organization has increased the number of illegal vessels to 122 and announced that it is negotiating with 19 other vessels to prevent their entry into the targeted list. It has also been reported that 30 other vessels may be added to this list due to lack of response to notifications.
Weekly reports from UKMTO indicate that five attacks have been confirmed this week and three vessels required assistance. Since July, 79 attacks involving missile projects have been recorded, with 57 of them related to vessels passing through the southern route of the strait. So far, 119 vessels have been damaged since the beginning of this year, and 77 crew members have lost their lives or been injured.
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