The United Arab Emirates has announced its withdrawal from OPEC and the broader OPEC+, dealing a significant blow to the oil-producing alliance at a time of heightened geopolitical tension linked to the ongoing Iran conflict.
The decision marks a major shift for the UAE, a longstanding member of OPEC, and is expected to create fresh uncertainty within the bloc, which has historically maintained cohesion despite internal disagreements over production quotas and geopolitical alignments.
UAE Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei said the move followed a strategic review of the country’s long-term energy policies and production goals.
“This is a policy decision, it has been done after a careful look at current and future policies related to level of production,” he said.
He also confirmed that the UAE did not consult with Saudi Arabia or any other member state before making the decision, underscoring a unilateral shift in policy direction.
The development comes amid escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass. Ongoing threats and attacks linked to Iran have disrupted exports and heightened market volatility.
While Mazrouei downplayed the immediate impact on oil markets, analysts say the UAE’s exit could weaken OPEC’s influence over global oil pricing and production coordination.
The move is also being viewed as a geopolitical boost for Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticised OPEC for driving up oil prices and has linked U.S. military support for Gulf nations to energy pricing policies.
The UAE’s decision follows growing frustration within the Gulf over regional responses to the Iran conflict. Anwar Gargash, a senior adviser to the UAE president, recently criticised fellow Arab nations for what he described as weak political and military support.
He noted that while members of the Gulf Cooperation Council had offered logistical backing, their broader stance during the crisis had fallen short of expectations.
The withdrawal signals a potential realignment in global energy politics, with implications for oil supply coordination, regional alliances, and the balance of power within the international energy market.
