The move by the UAE is a significant blow to the global organization of major oil producers The United Arab Emirates has decided to leave the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), as well as OPEC+, the state Emirates News Agency (WAM) reports. The withdrawal, which is set to come into force on May 1, is viewed as a serious blow to Saudi Arabia, the informal leader of OPEC. The news comes amid a crisis in the Middle East triggered by the US-Israeli war against Iran, which resulted in the suspension of crude exports from the Persian Gulf and damage to Arab nations that host US military bases. The statement expressed appreciation for cooperation within the organization and with members of OPEC+, which was formed in 2016 and includes Russia, Kazakhstan, Oman, Mexico, and other non-OPEC countries. The UAE has consistently ranked behind fellow OPEC members Saudi Arabia and Iraq in terms of production quotas.…