The United Arab Emirates announced it will withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the OPEC+ alliance, with the exit becoming effective on 1 May, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
The decision marks the latest departure from a group that already includes former members such as Angola, Ecuador, Indonesia and Qatar. The UAE’s move is perceived as a setback for Saudi Arabia, the informal leader of OPEC, and comes amid heightened tension in the Middle East following the United States‑Israel military action against Iran. The conflict has disrupted crude shipments from the Persian Gulf and affected Arab states that host U.S. bases.
In its statement, the United Arab Emirates thanked OPEC and OPEC+ members for past cooperation. OPEC+, formed in 2016, brings together the 13‑member OPEC cartel and non‑OPEC producers such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Oman and Mexico to coordinate production policies. The UAE has traditionally ranked behind Saudi Arabia and Iraq in OPEC’s production‑quota hierarchy.
The withdrawal occurs as Brent crude futures rose to $110 per barrel on Tuesday, reaching a three‑week peak after peace talks between the United States and Iran stalled. Prices fell slightly after the UAE’s announcement, but market volatility remains elevated due to uncertainty over regional supply flows.
The UAE’s exit reflects broader challenges facing the oil‑producing bloc, including geopolitical risks, fluctuating demand and divergent strategies among member states. Analysts will watch how OPEC and OPEC+ adjust their output targets without the United Arab Emirates, and whether the move prompts further realignment among Gulf producers.
The development underscores the interplay between regional security dynamics and global energy markets, with the potential to influence oil pricing and supply stability in the coming months.
