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28 Apr 2026, 13:42

The United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday, April 27, that it will withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and OPEC+.

The UAE's exit will take effect on May 1 (May 11).

According to Reuters, this move deals a heavy blow to these two oil-exporting organizations and their practical leader, Saudi Arabia, especially as the war in Iran has caused a historic shock in the energy market and instability in the global economy.

The unexpected exit of the UAE, which has been a long-standing member of OPEC, could lead to turmoil and weaken the group, which has typically sought to present a united front despite internal disagreements over issues ranging from geopolitics to production quotas.

The UAE's Minister of Energy told Reuters on Tuesday that leaving OPEC and OPEC+ gives the country flexibility, as it no longer has commitments to this group, adding that the UAE had not consulted directly with others, including Saudi Arabia, before making this decision.

The UAE's exit from OPEC is seen as a significant victory for Donald Trump, the President of the United States, who has accused the organization of "exploiting the rest of the world" by keeping oil prices high. Trump has also linked U.S. military support for Gulf countries to oil prices, stating that while the U.S. defends OPEC members, they "exploit this situation by imposing high oil prices."

This action came after the UAE, as a major trading hub in the region and one of Washington's closest allies, criticized Arab countries for their inadequate measures to protect the UAE from multiple Iranian attacks during the war.
Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic advisor to the UAE President, criticized the response of Arab and Gulf Cooperation Council countries to Iranian attacks during a meeting at the "Gulf Influencers Forum" on April 26.
He said, "The Gulf Cooperation Council member countries supported each other logistically, but politically and militarily, in my opinion, their position has historically been the weakest."
He added, "I expect such a weak position from the Arab League, and it is not surprising, but I did not expect it from the Gulf Cooperation Council, and I am surprised by that."
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