Abu Dhabi, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — The United Arab Emirates (UAE) officially announced its withdrawal from OPEC and the expanded OPEC+ alliance on Tuesday.
The decision comes at a critical juncture as the ongoing U.S.-Israel war on Iran triggers a historic energy crisis and destabilizes the global economy.
The UAE’s exit deals a significant blow to the influence of the oil-exporting bloc. This departure is largely attributed to escalating frustrations over regional security, particularly following numerous Iranian attacks on shipping vessels.
Okay News reports that the UAE has been vocal in its criticism of fellow Arab and Gulf states, accusing them of failing to provide adequate political and military support during the conflict.
Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, characterized the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) response to the crisis as the “weakest historically.” This geopolitical friction has been exacerbated by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly accused OPEC of “ripping off the rest of the world” by inflating prices.
Trump has explicitly linked U.S. military protection in the Middle East to the maintenance of lower oil prices, further straining the relationship between the United States and Gulf producers.
The exit of such a major producer is expected to complicate efforts to stabilize oil prices, which are already volatile due to the Strait of Hormuz becoming a “pressure card” in the war.
