BREAKING: UAE Quits OPEC, Iran Seizes Ships in Strait of Hormuz as Global Crisis Deepens
JUBA, South Sudan — April 29, 2026 — The world is reeling from a dramatic escalation in the Middle East as the United Arab Emirates announced its withdrawal from OPEC after nearly 60 years of membership, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard seized two commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, pushing global energy markets into turmoil.
UAE Exits OPEC
The United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday it will withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries effective May 1, 2026. The decision, confirmed by state news agency WAM, marks one of the most significant departures in the cartel’s history and delivers a heavy blow to the 13-member group’s ability to influence global oil prices.
The UAE’s exit is widely seen as a win for U.S. President Donald Trump, who has long accused OPEC of artificially inflating oil prices and has linked American military protection of Gulf states to demands for lower energy costs. The withdrawal comes amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran war, now in its ninth week, which has already sent crude prices soaring.
Strait of Hormuz Seizures
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has seized at least two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing them of violating Iranian restrictions on the strategic waterway. The seizures have intensified fears of a broader blockade that could cut off nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.
According to ship tracking data, the vessels remain anchored off the Iranian coast. The U.S. has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports since late February, intercepting dozens of ships suspected of carrying Iranian oil or weapons, while Iranian forces have retaliated by targeting commercial shipping.
Trump Warns Iran
President Trump issued a stark warning on Wednesday, telling Iran to “better get smart soon” and posting a mocked-up image of himself holding a gun on Truth Social, referring to a “nonnuclear deal.” The conflict’s estimated cost has now reached $25 billion, with U.S. defense officials signaling that an aircraft carrier may soon leave the region.
Iran has proposed a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but the White House has appeared unwilling to accept terms. The standoff continues to rattle global markets, with oil prices fluctuating wildly and food supply chains across Africa facing severe disruptions due to rising shipping costs.
Impact on South Sudan and Africa
For South Sudan and the wider African continent, the global energy crisis could not come at a worse time. On Tuesday, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, World Food Programme, and UNICEF issued a joint statement warning that 7.8 million people in South Sudan — more than half the population — are facing high levels of acute food insecurity between April and July 2026. Some 2.2 million children are suffering from acute malnutrition.
Meanwhile, Somalia has been hit especially hard by the Iran war, with humanitarian organizations warning of dire conditions for malnourished children as aid supply lines grow more expensive and unpredictable. France has also urged its citizens to leave Mali amid escalating security risks linked to Russian-backed Tuareg forces.
This is a developing story. Follow JubaGlobal for the latest updates.
