Tanker war spreads across Gulf

Attacks on commercial shipping have spread deeper into the Gulf, with a fully laden Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) struck off the UAE and another tanker hit in the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend. The Panama-flagged Gem No.2 was hit by an unidentified projectile on Friday, while another tanker was damaged in the strait on Saturday. No injuries were reported, but the incidents have raised concerns about the safety of shipping in the region.