Dubai officials confirmed Tuesday that the UAE will quit OPEC, ending a decades‑long membership as the Iran‑triggered energy crisis deepens Gulf tensions. Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al‑Mazrouei said the move follows a “careful look” at current and future production policies. He added the UAE will also exit the broader OPEC+ alliance, citing the need for greater flexibility.

The departure arrives amid growing bottlenecks in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian threats have already hampered the flow of roughly one‑fifth of global crude and LNG. Gulf producers have struggled to ship exports, and the UAE’s criticism of neighboring states for insufficient protection has intensified diplomatic friction. Analysts warn the loss of a major low‑cost supplier could tighten an already thin spare‑capacity market.

Washington welcomed the shift, echoing former President Donald Trump’s claim that OPEC inflates prices. Diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash rebuked the Gulf Cooperation Council’s “weak” political and military stance, arguing the bloc failed to shield the UAE from Iranian attacks. By leaving the cartel, the emirate hopes to market its cheapest, lower‑carbon barrels more directly, a strategy it believes will benefit consumers worldwide.