The Hindu Editorial • May 01, 2026 • Read Original

Gulf within: On the UAE leaving OPEC

Differences with Saudi Arabia and Iran’s attacks led to the UAE’s exit from OPEC

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The Hindu Read Original

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Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on May 01, 2026

Gulf within: On the UAE leaving OPEC

Differences with Saudi Arabia and Iran’s attacks led to the UAE’s exit from OPEC

UAEOPECOil MarketStrait of HormuzGeopoliticsEnergy Security

Sentences

Sentence 1 of 16

English Original

The UAE has withdrawn from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), a cartel that it joined in 1967, and OPEC+.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The UAE

The United Arab Emirates, a country in the Middle East known for its oil wealth.

Part 2

has

Has officially left or removed itself from a group.

Part 3

from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

The international group of countries that produce and export oil.

Part 4

a that it joined in 1967

An association of producers who work together to control prices, which the UAE joined nearly 60 years ago.

Part 5

and OPEC+

A larger group that includes OPEC members plus other oil-producing countries like Russia.

Context and Background

OPEC and OPEC+ Explained

OPEC is an intergovernmental organization of 12 nations, founded in 1960 to coordinate petroleum policies. OPEC+ is a larger alliance formed in 2016 between OPEC members and 10 other oil-exporting countries (including Russia) to have more control over global oil supply and prices.

Sentence 2 of 16

English Original

It was OPEC’s fourth-largest producer (3.12 million barrels per day) and its third-largest exporter (2.88 mbd) in 2025, behind Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Referring back to the UAE mentioned in the previous sentence.

Part 2

was

A linking verb used to show a state or condition in the past.

Part 3

OPEC’s fourth-largest (3.12 million barrels per day) and its third-largest (2.88 )

The UAE’s high ranking within the group in terms of how much oil it pulled from the ground and sold to other countries.

Part 4

in 2025

Specifying the time period for these statistics.

Part 5

behind Saudi Arabia and Iraq

Showing that only Saudi Arabia and Iraq produced/exported more oil than the UAE within OPEC.

Sentence 3 of 16

English Original

The Emiratis clearly sought to free themselves of production constraints set largely by the cartel’s dominant producer, Saudi Arabia.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Emiratis

The leadership or people of the United Arab Emirates.

Part 2

clearly

Obviously tried or intended to achieve something.

Part 3

to free themselves of production set largely by the cartel’s producer, Saudi Arabia

To stop following the limits on how much oil they can produce, which were mostly decided by Saudi Arabia.

Sentence 4 of 16

English Original

With significant spare capacity, the Emiratis believe that they are better off with the autonomy to ramp up exports, a capability now constrained by the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the largest disruption to oil supply in history, following U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

With significant

Having a large amount of extra ability to produce oil that is not currently being used.

Part 2

the Emiratis

The government of the UAE.

Part 3

believe

Think or have the opinion that something is true.

Part 4

that they are better off with the to exports

That they will be in a better position if they have the freedom to increase their oil sales quickly.

Part 5

a capability now by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the largest to oil supply in history, following U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran

This ability is limited because the main sea route for oil is effectively closed due to conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.

Context and Background

Strait of Hormuz Crisis (2026)

The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. In early 2026, following U.S.-Israel military actions against Iran, the strait was effectively closed, blocking nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply and causing a global energy emergency.

Sentence 5 of 16

English Original

Brent crude prices barely budged on the announcement, revealing how heavily the Strait crisis weighs on the market.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

prices

The cost of a major type of oil used as a benchmark for worldwide prices.

Part 2

barely

Hardly moved or changed at all.

Part 3

on the announcement

Immediately after the news was made public.

Part 4

revealing how heavily the Strait crisis the market

Showing that the bigger problem of the blocked sea route is much more important to traders than the UAE’s exit.

Sentence 6 of 16

English Original

But once the UAE weathers this crisis, whether through the Strait’s reopening, or by routing more crude through a pipeline bypassing Hormuz, analysts estimate that it could lift production by roughly a million barrels a day.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

But once the UAE this crisis, whether through the Strait’s reopening, or by more crude through a pipeline Hormuz

After the UAE survives this problem, either by the sea route opening again or by using a pipe that goes around the blocked area.

Part 2

analysts

Experts who study the oil market and predict what will happen next.

Part 3

estimate

Guess or calculate approximately.

Part 4

that it could lift production by roughly a million barrels a day

That the UAE might be able to produce 1,000,000 more barrels of oil every day.

Sentence 7 of 16

English Original

While Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s bellwether, has remained chary of over-supply and sought to keep prices high, the UAE has long pushed for higher production for revenues that it intends to funnel into AI infrastructure and other diversification projects.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

While Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s , has remained of over-supply and sought to keep prices high

Even though Saudi Arabia, the most important member of OPEC, is careful not to produce too much oil so that prices stay expensive.

Part 2

the UAE

The United Arab Emirates.

Part 3

has long pushed

Has been asking or demanding for a long time.

Part 4

for higher production

The goal of making more oil available to sell.

Part 5

for revenues that it intends to into AI infrastructure and other projects

To get money that it plans to spend on technology like AI and other new businesses so it doesn’t depend only on oil.

Sentence 8 of 16

English Original

Unsaid in the UAE’s move is also its frustration with what it sees as a lack of cartel-wide coordination in responding to Iran’s missile and drone attacks on Gulf oil and military facilities; Iran is also an OPEC member.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

in the UAE’s move

Something that the UAE did not officially mention when it left OPEC.

Part 2

The state of being.

Part 3

its with what it sees as a lack of cartel-wide in responding to Iran’s missile and drone attacks on Gulf oil and military facilities

The UAE’s annoyance that OPEC did not work together to protect members from Iran’s attacks on oil ships and army bases.

Part 4

Iran

The country accused of the attacks.

Part 5

Shows the fact of membership.

Part 6

also an OPEC member

The fact that Iran is in the same group (OPEC) as the countries it is attacking.

Sentence 9 of 16

English Original

The Emiratis have also differed sharply with the Saudis on external interventions: in Yemen and Sudan.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Emiratis

The leaders of the United Arab Emirates.

Part 2

have also

Have had different opinions or policies.

Part 3

sharply

In a very strong or noticeable way.

Part 4

with the Saudis

Referring to the government of Saudi Arabia.

Part 5

on external : in Yemen and Sudan

Regarding the act of getting involved in the wars or internal problems of countries like Yemen and Sudan.

Sentence 10 of 16

English Original

The UAE also seeks closer ties with Israel than most Gulf states, which remain uncomfortable with any thaw given Israel’s genocidal actions in Gaza and its attacks on Iran and Lebanon.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The UAE

The United Arab Emirates.

Part 2

also seeks

Is also looking for or trying to achieve.

Part 3

closer with Israel than most Gulf states

A better and more friendly relationship with Israel compared to what other nearby Arab countries want.

Part 4

which remain uncomfortable with any given Israel’s actions in Gaza and its attacks on Iran and Lebanon

These other countries are not happy about improving relations because of Israel’s violent actions in Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon.

Sentence 11 of 16

English Original

The U.S., a non-OPEC member, and the world’s largest oil producer at 13.6 mbd, has long viewed the cartel’s price-setting unfavourably, and President Donald Trump has repeatedly pressed it to pump more.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The U.S., a non-OPEC member, and the world’s largest oil producer at 13.6 mbd

The United States, which is not part of OPEC and produces the most oil in the world (13.6 million barrels per day).

Part 2

has long viewed

Has had a certain opinion for a long time.

Part 3

the cartel’s

The way OPEC countries work together to decide how expensive oil should be.

Part 4

In a negative way; not liking it.

Part 5

President Donald Trump

The President of the United States.

Part 6

has repeatedly

Has kept asking or demanding strongly many times.

Part 7

Referring back to the cartel (OPEC).

Part 8

to pump more

To produce more oil from the ground.

Sentence 12 of 16

English Original

The UAE perhaps calculates that aligning with Washington will yield benefits for its production and pipeline ambitions, though Mr. Trump’s transactional and mercurial foreign policy offers little guarantee.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The UAE

The United Arab Emirates.

Part 2

perhaps

Maybe thinks or expects after considering the situation.

Part 3

that with Washington will benefits for its production and pipeline ambitions

That supporting the U.S. government (Washington) will help the UAE’s plans to produce more oil and build new pipes.

Part 4

though Mr. Trump’s and foreign policy offers little guarantee

Even though President Trump’s way of dealing with other countries is based on immediate gains and can change suddenly, so nothing is certain.

Sentence 13 of 16

English Original

The UAE’s exit also reflects a structural issue: OPEC’s share of global crude dropped to 36.7% in 2025, and with Hormuz shut, pricing power has shifted to American producers in the short term.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The UAE’s exit

The act of the UAE leaving OPEC.

Part 2

also reflects

Also shows or is a sign of something deeper.

Part 3

A problem with how the whole system or organization is built.

Part 4

OPEC’s share of global crude

The portion of the world’s oil that comes from OPEC countries.

Part 5

dropped

Went down or decreased.

Part 6

to 36.7%

Falling to about one-third of the world’s total.

Part 7

in 2025

The year this data was recorded.

Part 8

with Hormuz shut

Because the main sea route for oil is blocked.

Part 9

The ability to decide or influence how much oil will cost.

Part 10

has shifted

Has moved from one person or group to another.

Part 11

to American producers

To companies in the United States that make oil.

Part 12

in the short term

For the next few months or a year, not forever.

Sentence 14 of 16

English Original

OPEC will continue, but with a reduced ability to set prices.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

OPEC

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Part 2

will continue

Will still exist and function in the future.

Part 3

but with a ability to set prices

However, it will have less power than before to decide how much oil should cost.

Sentence 15 of 16

English Original

For net oil-importing countries such as India, however, the immediate threat is not the cartel’s unravelling but the “double blockade” in the Strait of Hormuz and the fragile Iran-U.S. ceasefire.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

For countries such as India

From the perspective of countries like India that buy more oil from abroad than they sell.

Part 2

however

A word used to show contrast or a change in focus.

Part 3

the immediate threat

The most urgent or pressing danger right now.

Part 4

Identifies what the threat consists of.

Part 5

not the cartel’s but the “double blockade” in the Strait of Hormuz and the Iran-U.S.

The danger is not just OPEC falling apart, but the blocked sea route and the weak agreement between Iran and the US to stop fighting.

Sentence 16 of 16

English Original

Unless a new geopolitical détente emerges between Iran and the Gulf states, volatility will persist, threatening energy security regardless of what unfolds within OPEC.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Unless a new geopolitical emerges between Iran and the Gulf states

If a new friendly agreement between Iran and other Gulf countries does not happen.

Part 2

The state of prices or situations changing quickly and unpredictably.

Part 3

will

Will continue to exist or stay.

Part 4

threatening regardless of what within OPEC

Making it difficult for countries to be sure they will have enough fuel, no matter what OPEC does.

Sentence 1 of 16

Sentences Breakdown

Editorial Summary

5-Point Summary

1 The UAE has officially withdrawn from OPEC and OPEC+ to gain production autonomy and free itself from cartel-imposed constraints.
2 The exit is driven by the UAE’s need for higher oil revenues to fund ambitious AI infrastructure and economic diversification projects.
3 The geopolitical context includes the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran, which has severely disrupted global oil supply.
4 Differences with Saudi Arabia over production levels and regional interventions in Yemen and Sudan have further strained the UAE’s relationship with the cartel.
5 For net oil-importers like India, the immediate threat is the ongoing energy volatility caused by the double blockade in the Persian Gulf.

Tone of the Editorial

Analytical

Why this tone?

The editorial examines the UAE’s exit from OPEC by evaluating its economic strategy, the impact of the Strait of Hormuz crisis, and the shifting power dynamics between Gulf states and American producers. It avoids strong bias, instead focusing on structural issues and geopolitical consequences.

Sentence 1 of 16

The UAE has withdrawn from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), a cartel that it joined in 1967, and OPEC+.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The UAE

The United Arab Emirates, a country in the Middle East known for its oil wealth.

Part 2

has withdrawn

Has officially left or removed itself from a group.

Part 3

from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

The international group of countries that produce and export oil.

Part 4

a cartel that it joined in 1967

An association of producers who work together to control prices, which the UAE joined nearly 60 years ago.

Part 5

and OPEC+

A larger group that includes OPEC members plus other oil-producing countries like Russia.

Sentence 2 of 16

It was OPEC’s fourth-largest producer (3.12 million barrels per day) and its third-largest exporter (2.88 mbd) in 2025, behind Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Referring back to the UAE mentioned in the previous sentence.

Part 2

was

A linking verb used to show a state or condition in the past.

Part 3

OPEC’s fourth-largest producer (3.12 million barrels per day) and its third-largest exporter (2.88 mbd)

The UAE’s high ranking within the group in terms of how much oil it pulled from the ground and sold to other countries.

Part 4

in 2025

Specifying the time period for these statistics.

Part 5

behind Saudi Arabia and Iraq

Showing that only Saudi Arabia and Iraq produced/exported more oil than the UAE within OPEC.

Sentence 3 of 16

The Emiratis clearly sought to free themselves of production constraints set largely by the cartel’s dominant producer, Saudi Arabia.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Emiratis

The leadership or people of the United Arab Emirates.

Part 2

clearly sought

Obviously tried or intended to achieve something.

Part 3

to free themselves of production constraints set largely by the cartel’s dominant producer, Saudi Arabia

To stop following the limits on how much oil they can produce, which were mostly decided by Saudi Arabia.

Sentence 4 of 16

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

With significant spare capacity

Having a large amount of extra ability to produce oil that is not currently being used.

Part 2

the Emiratis

The government of the UAE.

Part 3

believe

Think or have the opinion that something is true.

Part 4

that they are better off with the autonomy to ramp up exports

That they will be in a better position if they have the freedom to increase their oil sales quickly.

Part 5

a capability now constrained by the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the largest disruption to oil supply in history, following U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran

This ability is limited because the main sea route for oil is effectively closed due to conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.

Sentence 5 of 16

Brent crude prices barely budged on the announcement, revealing how heavily the Strait crisis weighs on the market.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Brent crude prices

The cost of a major type of oil used as a benchmark for worldwide prices.

Part 2

barely budged

Hardly moved or changed at all.

Part 3

on the announcement

Immediately after the news was made public.

Part 4

revealing how heavily the Strait crisis weighs on the market

Showing that the bigger problem of the blocked sea route is much more important to traders than the UAE’s exit.

Sentence 6 of 16

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

But once the UAE weathers this crisis, whether through the Strait’s reopening, or by routing more crude through a pipeline bypassing Hormuz

After the UAE survives this problem, either by the sea route opening again or by using a pipe that goes around the blocked area.

Part 2

analysts

Experts who study the oil market and predict what will happen next.

Part 3

estimate

Guess or calculate approximately.

Part 4

that it could lift production by roughly a million barrels a day

That the UAE might be able to produce 1,000,000 more barrels of oil every day.

Sentence 7 of 16

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

While Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s bellwether, has remained chary of over-supply and sought to keep prices high

Even though Saudi Arabia, the most important member of OPEC, is careful not to produce too much oil so that prices stay expensive.

Part 2

the UAE

The United Arab Emirates.

Part 3

has long pushed

Has been asking or demanding for a long time.

Part 4

for higher production

The goal of making more oil available to sell.

Part 5

for revenues that it intends to funnel into AI infrastructure and other diversification projects

To get money that it plans to spend on technology like AI and other new businesses so it doesn’t depend only on oil.

Sentence 8 of 16

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Unsaid in the UAE’s move

Something that the UAE did not officially mention when it left OPEC.

Part 2

The state of being.

Part 3

its frustration with what it sees as a lack of cartel-wide coordination in responding to Iran’s missile and drone attacks on Gulf oil and military facilities

The UAE’s annoyance that OPEC did not work together to protect members from Iran’s attacks on oil ships and army bases.

Part 4

Iran

The country accused of the attacks.

Part 5

Shows the fact of membership.

Part 6

also an OPEC member

The fact that Iran is in the same group (OPEC) as the countries it is attacking.

Sentence 9 of 16

The Emiratis have also differed sharply with the Saudis on external interventions: in Yemen and Sudan.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Emiratis

The leaders of the United Arab Emirates.

Part 2

have also differed

Have had different opinions or policies.

Part 3

sharply

In a very strong or noticeable way.

Part 4

with the Saudis

Referring to the government of Saudi Arabia.

Part 5

on external interventions: in Yemen and Sudan

Regarding the act of getting involved in the wars or internal problems of countries like Yemen and Sudan.

Sentence 10 of 16

The UAE also seeks closer ties with Israel than most Gulf states, which remain uncomfortable with any thaw given Israel’s genocidal actions in Gaza and its attacks on Iran and Lebanon.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The UAE

The United Arab Emirates.

Part 2

also seeks

Is also looking for or trying to achieve.

Part 3

closer ties with Israel than most Gulf states

A better and more friendly relationship with Israel compared to what other nearby Arab countries want.

Part 4

which remain uncomfortable with any thaw given Israel’s genocidal actions in Gaza and its attacks on Iran and Lebanon

These other countries are not happy about improving relations because of Israel’s violent actions in Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon.

Sentence 11 of 16

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The U.S., a non-OPEC member, and the world’s largest oil producer at 13.6 mbd

The United States, which is not part of OPEC and produces the most oil in the world (13.6 million barrels per day).

Part 2

has long viewed

Has had a certain opinion for a long time.

Part 3

the cartel’s price-setting

The way OPEC countries work together to decide how expensive oil should be.

Part 4

unfavourably

In a negative way; not liking it.

Part 5

President Donald Trump

The President of the United States.

Part 6

has repeatedly pressed

Has kept asking or demanding strongly many times.

Part 7

Referring back to the cartel (OPEC).

Part 8

to pump more

To produce more oil from the ground.

Sentence 12 of 16

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The UAE

The United Arab Emirates.

Part 2

perhaps calculates

Maybe thinks or expects after considering the situation.

Part 3

that aligning with Washington will yield benefits for its production and pipeline ambitions

That supporting the U.S. government (Washington) will help the UAE’s plans to produce more oil and build new pipes.

Part 4

though Mr. Trump’s transactional and mercurial foreign policy offers little guarantee

Even though President Trump’s way of dealing with other countries is based on immediate gains and can change suddenly, so nothing is certain.

Sentence 13 of 16

The UAE’s exit also reflects a structural issue: OPEC’s share of global crude dropped to 36.7% in 2025, and with Hormuz shut, pricing power has shifted to American producers in the short term.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The UAE’s exit

The act of the UAE leaving OPEC.

Part 2

also reflects

Also shows or is a sign of something deeper.

Part 3

a structural issue

A problem with how the whole system or organization is built.

Part 4

OPEC’s share of global crude

The portion of the world’s oil that comes from OPEC countries.

Part 5

dropped

Went down or decreased.

Part 6

to 36.7%

Falling to about one-third of the world’s total.

Part 7

in 2025

The year this data was recorded.

Part 8

with Hormuz shut

Because the main sea route for oil is blocked.

Part 9

pricing power

The ability to decide or influence how much oil will cost.

Part 10

has shifted

Has moved from one person or group to another.

Part 11

to American producers

To companies in the United States that make oil.

Part 12

in the short term

For the next few months or a year, not forever.

Sentence 14 of 16

OPEC will continue, but with a reduced ability to set prices.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

OPEC

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Part 2

will continue

Will still exist and function in the future.

Part 3

but with a reduced ability to set prices

However, it will have less power than before to decide how much oil should cost.

Sentence 15 of 16

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

For net oil-importing countries such as India

From the perspective of countries like India that buy more oil from abroad than they sell.

Part 2

however

A word used to show contrast or a change in focus.

Part 3

the immediate threat

The most urgent or pressing danger right now.

Part 4

Identifies what the threat consists of.

Part 5

not the cartel’s unravelling but the “double blockade” in the Strait of Hormuz and the fragile Iran-U.S. ceasefire

The danger is not just OPEC falling apart, but the blocked sea route and the weak agreement between Iran and the US to stop fighting.

Sentence 16 of 16

Unless a new geopolitical détente emerges between Iran and the Gulf states, volatility will persist, threatening energy security regardless of what unfolds within OPEC.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Unless a new geopolitical détente emerges between Iran and the Gulf states

If a new friendly agreement between Iran and other Gulf countries does not happen.

Part 2

volatility

The state of prices or situations changing quickly and unpredictably.

Part 3

will persist

Will continue to exist or stay.

Part 4

threatening energy security regardless of what unfolds within OPEC

Making it difficult for countries to be sure they will have enough fuel, no matter what OPEC does.

Reading Comprehension

Practice questions based on this editorial

Reading Comprehension - UAE Exit from OPEC

Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about the UAE's withdrawal from OPEC and the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

5 Questions Passing: 70%

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