The United Arab Emirates will leave OPEC+ effective May 1, 2026, ending nearly 60 years of coordinated oil production strategy. The decision reflects a strategic pivot toward national energy autonomy amid escalating regional tensions, particularly US-Iran disputes affecting critical supply routes like the Strait of Hormuz.

Abu Dhabi joined OPEC in 1967 and remained a key stabilizing force through the UAE's federation in 1971. Officials framed the exit as a calculated response to evolving market dynamics, emphasizing the need for unilateral output flexibility over collective action.

This move fractures one of energy's most enduring alliances at a time when OPEC+ struggles to mitigate volatility from geopolitical risks. The UAE's departure underscores a broader trend of producers prioritizing sovereign interests over cartel discipline as renewable investments reshape long-term strategies.