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Crude oil prices surged above $111 per barrel on Tuesday following the United Arab Emirates, UAE, decision to exit the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC.

ZATELCONNECT reports that UAEโ€™s decision to exit OPEC was announced in a statement on Tuesday.

The UAE said the move, which takes effect from May 1, 2026, was based on the countryโ€™s national interest.

โ€œThis decision follows a comprehensive review of the UAEโ€™s production policy and its current and future capacity and is based on our national interest and our commitment to contributing effectively to meeting the marketโ€™s pressing needs,โ€ UAE authorities said in a statement.

The UAEโ€™s announcement has stirred uncertainty in the global crude oil market already grappling with nearly two months of war between Iran and the United States-Israel.

Checks by Zatelcoonect showed that crude oil prices surged by 3 percent to $99.68 and $111.40 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude, respectively.