Oil spill reaches UAE beaches after tanker strike near Hormuz
One Turn followed this story across 9 editions, from Strait of Hormuz on October 14, 2026. Newest first.
The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf to the open sea. Traffic through it has fallen sharply since the war began, and dozens of seafarers have died.
Oil from a tanker struck by a projectile off the UAE coast has washed up on beaches in Umm Al Quwain, with satellite images showing it spreading for miles along the coastline. The UAE climate ministry deployed teams to contain the spill. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said earlier this week that seven tankers were hit or struck mines in and near the Strait of Hormuz.
Why it matters: Attacks on tankers threaten Gulf marine life and the shipping lane that carries a large share of world oil.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards navy said on Thursday that its forces hit four tankers carrying out oil transfers in the northern Gulf and that three more vessels struck mines near the Strait of Hormuz overnight. Iran warned the US of a wider response, while US officials dismissed the claims as an attempt to raise oil prices before the US elections. Seafarers told Euronews traffic through the waterway has fallen 90% since the war began and at least 95 commercial seafarers have died.
Why it matters: The Strait of Hormuz is the main export route for Gulf oil and gas, so attacks there directly affect global energy supply.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said naval mines stopped tankers trying to cross the Strait of Hormuz via a southern route near Oman, with reports that some tankers caught fire. The IMO warned the waterway remains unsafe, and an IRGC spokesperson threatened undersea internet cables in the Gulf.
Why it matters: Disruption at Hormuz affects a major share of global oil and LNG shipments and keeps energy prices high.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said their naval mines set ablaze and halted tankers using routes through the Strait of Hormuz that Tehran considers illegal. At least 15 container ships have been struck in the waterway over 10 days, and a Guards spokesperson threatened to target undersea internet cables in the Gulf. The IMO warned the strait remains too unsafe to transit, while Qatar said negotiations were the only path to reopening it.
Why it matters: Disruption in the strait affects a large share of the world's oil and gas shipments and is driving up fuel costs globally.
At least 15 container ships have been struck in the Strait of Hormuz in 10 days by drones, mines and even a rocket-propelled grenade, and Iran's IRGC said an oil tanker caught fire after hitting a mine. Iran says it has a new operational plan if the US resumes attacks; US missions issued security alerts.
Why it matters: Hormuz carries a large share of the world's oil, so attacks there drive up energy and freight costs globally.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said an oil tanker caught fire after striking a mine in Hormuz, as shipping vessels reported strikes. A senior Iranian security official said Iran has a new operational plan if the US resumes attacks.
Why it matters: The strait normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption, so incidents there move energy prices worldwide.
BBC Verify analysis of UK maritime data found 12 vessels were struck in a single week near the Strait of Hormuz, a record, and the UKMTO says most attacks go unreported. Iran's IRGC said a tanker using a 'prohibited' route hit a mine, and President Trump said the US Navy is carrying out an 'effective' blockade of Iran.
The container ship GFS Pride and the bulk carrier Cape Dao sank after being hit by projectiles near the Strait of Hormuz while using a route Iran's Revolutionary Guard called illegal and dangerous. At least one crew member was killed.
Why it matters: Attacks on merchant vessels in the Hormuz chokepoint threaten a vital route for global oil and trade flows.
The container ship GFS Pride and the bulk carrier Cape Dao sank after being hit by projectiles near the Strait of Hormuz, with at least one crew member killed. Iran's Revolutionary Guard had described the route they were using as illegal and dangerous.
Why it matters: The Strait of Hormuz is a key chokepoint for global oil and shipping, so attacks there affect energy prices and trade.