60th Day of Middle East War: UAE Shockingly Announces Withdrawal from OPEC, Latest Developments at a Glance
As the Middle East war reaches its 60th day, with the US and Israel attacking Iran, the United Arab Emirates has announced its withdrawal from OPEC due to dissatisfaction with quotas. This development, alongside rising oil prices and a fragile ceasefire, highlights the escalating tensions and significant shifts in the international energy landscape.
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- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 13:54
- 🔍 Collected: April 29, 2026 at 14:01 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 29, 2026 at 14:06 (4 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Paris, 28th, comprehensive foreign report) On the 60th day of the joint US-Israel attack on Iran, the United Arab Emirates, dissatisfied with its quota, announced its withdrawal from OPEC and OPEC+; meanwhile, US President Trump, while hosting King Charles III of the United Kingdom, stated that Iran had been militarily defeated.
Here's a summary of the latest situation in the Middle East war compiled by Agence France-Presse.
Trump told King Charles III and other guests at a state dinner today that Iran had been 'militarily defeated,' marking his first public statement on this sensitive issue during the British royal visit.
Trump said at the White House dinner, 'We have militarily defeated that particular adversary.' He added, 'Charles even agrees with me more than I do, we will absolutely never let that adversary have nuclear weapons.'
King Charles III, in his speech to the US Congress, urged the US to stand firmly with its Western allies, noting that the meeting in Washington was held 'during a time of extreme uncertainty.'
King Charles III added that it is 'a period of conflict from Europe to the Middle East, posing huge challenges to the international community, with impacts felt in every corner of our respective countries.'
In addition, Trump fiercely responded to criticism of the Iran war by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz recently visited a school in western Germany and stated that Tehran was 'humiliating' Washington at the negotiating table, and that 'the Americans obviously have no strategy.' Trump responded by saying that the Chancellor 'thinks it's okay for Iran to have nuclear weapons,' and added, 'He doesn't even know what he's talking about!'
US military personnel boarded and searched the 'M/V Blue Star III' on suspicion of attempting to violate the blockade of Iranian ports, then released it.
In Israel, the military stated that they discovered and destroyed a large tunnel network built by Hezbollah for elite fighters, and simultaneously ordered a new round of evacuations in conflict-ridden southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military stated that the tunnels found in Qantara, measuring 800 meters and 1.2 kilometers in length respectively, had been destroyed with 'over 450 tons of explosives.'
Lebanon's Ministry of Health stated that despite the current ceasefire agreement, Israel launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon today, killing 8 people, including civil defense rescuers, and injuring two soldiers.
Since early March, Israel has been fighting Hezbollah, sending troops into southern Lebanon to counter the Iranian-backed armed group. Despite a fragile ceasefire agreement reached on April 17, violence continues.
Iranian media reported that customs authorities stated that Iran had banned the export of steel products since the 26th. The country's steel industry has been targeted by airstrikes during the war with Israel and the United States.
Fars news agency reported that Iranian customs authorities issued instructions 'regarding the ban on exports' of steel, including slabs, plates, and strip products, effective from April 26.
Media reports indicate that US President Trump is unlikely to accept Iran's proposal to resume traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, and with Qatar warning of a possible 'frozen conflict' situation, international crude oil prices have risen in response.
International benchmark Brent North Sea crude reached approximately $112 per barrel, higher than levels before the US-Iran ceasefire was announced in early April. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude today broke above $100 per barrel for the first time in two weeks.
As the Middle East war led to soaring energy prices, the United Arab Emirates delivered a shock announcement, stating its withdrawal from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the OPEC+ alliance, to focus on 'national interests.'
The UAE, one of the world's major oil producers, has previously expressed dissatisfaction with OPEC production quotas; according to a statement issued by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the UAE will withdraw from OPEC and OPEC+ on May 1.
Saudi Arabia welcomed leaders and officials from Gulf countries gathered in Jeddah to discuss the ongoing regional crisis. This was the first face-to-face meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council member states since the Middle East war broke out on February 28.
A military source told Agence France-Presse that drones were flying over Baghdad's Green Zone, where the US embassy is located, and air defense systems were activated to intercept them.
Since the Middle East conflict broke out on February 28, Iranian-backed Iraqi groups have been attacking US interests, but this is the first such incident since a fragile ceasefire agreement took effect on April 8.
(Central News Agency, Paris, 28th, comprehensive foreign report) On the 60th day of the joint US-Israel attack on Iran, the United Arab Emirates, dissatisfied with its quota, announced its withdrawal from OPEC and OPEC+; meanwhile, US President Trump, while hosting King Charles III of the United Kingdom, stated that Iran had been militarily defeated.
Here's a summary of the latest situation in the Middle East war compiled by Agence France-Presse.
Trump told King Charles III and other guests at a state dinner today that Iran had been 'militarily defeated,' marking his first public statement on this sensitive issue during the British royal visit.
Trump said at the White House dinner, 'We have militarily defeated that particular adversary.' He added, 'Charles even agrees with me more than I do, we will absolutely never let that adversary have nuclear weapons.'
King Charles III, in his speech to the US Congress, urged the US to stand firmly with its Western allies, noting that the meeting in Washington was held 'during a time of extreme uncertainty.'
King Charles III added that it is 'a period of conflict from Europe to the Middle East, posing huge challenges to the international community, with impacts felt in every corner of our respective countries.'
In addition, Trump fiercely responded to criticism of the Iran war by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz recently visited a school in western Germany and stated that Tehran was 'humiliating' Washington at the negotiating table, and that 'the Americans obviously have no strategy.' Trump responded by saying that the Chancellor 'thinks it's okay for Iran to have nuclear weapons,' and added, 'He doesn't even know what he's talking about!'
US military personnel boarded and searched the 'M/V Blue Star III' on suspicion of attempting to violate the blockade of Iranian ports, then released it.
In Israel, the military stated that they discovered and destroyed a large tunnel network built by Hezbollah for elite fighters, and simultaneously ordered a new round of evacuations in conflict-ridden southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military stated that the tunnels found in Qantara, measuring 800 meters and 1.2 kilometers in length respectively, had been destroyed with 'over 450 tons of explosives.'
Lebanon's Ministry of Health stated that despite the current ceasefire agreement, Israel launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon today, killing 8 people, including civil defense rescuers, and injuring two soldiers.
Since early March, Israel has been fighting Hezbollah, sending troops into southern Lebanon to counter the Iranian-backed armed group. Despite a fragile ceasefire agreement reached on April 17, violence continues.
Iranian media reported that customs authorities stated that Iran had banned the export of steel products since the 26th. The country's steel industry has been targeted by airstrikes during the war with Israel and the United States.
Fars news agency reported that Iranian customs authorities issued instructions 'regarding the ban on exports' of steel, including slabs, plates, and strip products, effective from April 26.
Media reports indicate that US President Trump is unlikely to accept Iran's proposal to resume traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, and with Qatar warning of a possible 'frozen conflict' situation, international crude oil prices have risen in response.
International benchmark Brent North Sea crude reached approximately $112 per barrel, higher than levels before the US-Iran ceasefire was announced in early April. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude today broke above $100 per barrel for the first time in two weeks.
As the Middle East war led to soaring energy prices, the United Arab Emirates delivered a shock announcement, stating its withdrawal from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the OPEC+ alliance, to focus on 'national interests.'
The UAE, one of the world's major oil producers, has previously expressed dissatisfaction with OPEC production quotas; according to a statement issued by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the UAE will withdraw from OPEC and OPEC+ on May 1.
Saudi Arabia welcomed leaders and officials from Gulf countries gathered in Jeddah to discuss the ongoing regional crisis. This was the first face-to-face meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council member states since the Middle East war broke out on February 28.
A military source told Agence France-Presse that drones were flying over Baghdad's Green Zone, where the US embassy is located, and air defense systems were activated to intercept them.
Since the Middle East conflict broke out on February 28, Iranian-backed Iraqi groups have been attacking US interests, but this is the first such incident since a fragile ceasefire agreement took effect on April 8.