In a significant environmental concern, Oman is battling an extensive oil spill off its southern coast, engulfing nearly 400 square kilometers (150 square miles) of marine territory. The source of the spill is the Caroline Bezengi, a tanker believed to be part of Russia's clandestine fleet, used to bypass Western sanctions on oil exports. Stranded for over a month within a protected marine area, the tanker reportedly experienced an explosion in early June, allowing water to flood several sections of the vessel. The spill, concentrated around Oman's Hallaniyat archipelago - a marine reserve established to safeguard sensitive ecosystems teeming with diverse marine life and rare sea turtles – is threatening the region's biodiversity, including coral reefs, nesting areas for turtles, and ecologically vital coastal zones. Omani authorities are taking immediate action, conducting aerial surveillance and deploying divers to assess the situation and develop a plan to transfer the vessel's oil cargo, with the aim of reducing risks, ensuring navigational safety, and protecting the marine environment. The cause of the spill remains unknown, although Greenpeace and Dutch peace organization PAX have warned that the tanker, carrying approximately one million barrels of crude oil destined for Asia, could precipitate an environmental disaster. Suspicions are mounting that the Caroline Bezengi is part of Russia's "shadow fleet," which operates under various national flags to conceal its true ownership and bypass international sanctions. The tanker has been subjected to sanctions imposed by several countries, including the European Union, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Switzerland. Tankers in the Gulf region have increasingly become targets since the US-Israel conflict with Iran escalated at the end of February.