Oman oil spill reaches coastline

An oil spill from the crude oil tanker Caroline Bezengi, which ran aground off Oman's coast on 30 June 2026, has reached the mainland, according to state media. The vessel, part of Russia's shadow fleet, was damaged by explosions in early June off Yemen and is carrying around one million barrels of crude. The spill has affected roughly 390 square kilometers, with oil reaching beaches in the Ras Madrakah area and threatening the Hallaniyat archipelago marine reserve and Masirah Island. Monsoon winds have hampered containment and salvage efforts, as reported by the International Maritime Organization. Separately, an oil slick in the Strait of Hormuz has reached Iran's Qeshm island, reportedly originating from an Iranian attack on the bulk carrier Minoan Pioneer on August 3. Greenpeace and PAX have warned of an environmental disaster.