LONDON: In a war that has seen tankers in the Gulf and the Red Sea repeatedly targeted, it was clear that a massive oil spill was an environmental disaster just waiting to happen — and that disaster is now unfolding. On June 30, the Caroline Bezengi, a tanker carrying more than 800,000 barrels of oil, ran aground on an island 50 km off the coast of southern Oman. The ship, under sanctions by the UK and the EU as a consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, loaded its cargo at Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in April, and had transited the Suez Canal on May 30.

Omani authorities said they have launched a "comprehensive response" to secure the Caroline Bezengi vessel and mitigate the impact on the marine ecosystem and maritime navigation.

By Jonathan Saul and Catherine CartierLONDON, Aug 12 (Reuters) - A vast oil spill in the Gulf is quickly becoming one of the world’s worst in years after being allowed to spread…