A nature reserve off the coast of Oman is under threat from a spreading oil spill originating from a suspected Russian ghost ship.
The leak, triggered by explosions of unknown origin, has created a significant environmental hazard in a strategically vital shipping corridor.
This incident marks a sharp escalation in the ongoing crisis involving a sanctioned tanker that ran aground in the region.
The spill has expanded rapidly, now covering approximately 150 square kilometers of sea and shoreline, according to satellite imagery analyzed by environmental monitors.
The sheer scale of the slick raises immediate concerns about the potential for a major ecological disaster and the operational risks to nearby maritime traffic.
For energy markets, the incident underscores the persistent vulnerability of Gulf infrastructure to both geopolitical tensions and illicit shipping activities.