Energy Crisis: UAE set to quit OPEC, OPEC+ over US-Israel war on Iran

*United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail ​Mohamed al-Mazrouei, one of Washington’s most important allies, attributes the decision to quit OPEC and OPEC+ to failure of fellow Arab states for not doing enough to protect it from ​numerous retaliatory attacks from Iran amid the US-Israel war on the Arabian country

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), one of the world’s top oil producers, has disclosed its decision to withdraw from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and OPEC+ oil cartels to focus on its “national interests”.

The UAE noted this in a statement Tuesday, April 28, 2026, as a “bombshell announcement”, just as energy prices soar over the ongoing Middle East war.

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The Arabian country previously, had baulked at OPEC production quotas that would be pulled out Friday, a statement carried by the official WAM news agency said.

The statement noted: “This decision reflects the UAE’s long-term strategic and economic vision and evolving energy profile.

“During our time in the organisation, we made significant contributions and even greater sacrifices for the benefit of all.”

The global oil major also said: “However, the time has come to focus our efforts on what our national interest dictates.”

ConsumerConnect reports the Gulf oil shipments across the States are currently being strangled by Iran’s blockade of the notable cum controversial Strait of Hormuz, which flows past the UAE, and normally carries 29 percent of the world’s oil.

Hard-hit by Iranian retaliatory attacks on its soil, UAE has also faced trouble in its relationship with powerful neighbour Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter and a dominant force within OPEC, agency report said.

Affirming the development to call it quits with both OPEC and OPEC+, UAE Energy Minister Suhail ​Mohamed al-Mazrouei told Reuters the decision was taken after a careful look at ⁠the regional power’s energy strategies.

Asked whether the UAE consulted with Saudi Arabia, al-Mazrouei said the UAE did ​not raise the issue with any other country in the region.

The UAE Energy Minister declared: “This is a policy decision; it has been done after ​a careful look at current and future policies related to level of production.”

The move came ⁠after the UAE, a regional business hub and one of Washington’s most important allies, had criticised fellow Arab states for not doing enough to protect it from ​numerous Iranian attacks during the war.

Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser for the ​UAE President, had criticised ⁠the Arab and Gulf response to the Iranian attacks in a session at the Gulf Influencers Forum Monday, April 27 this year, according to report.

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