Gulf States Under Pressure: Iranian Strikes, Economic Fallout, and OPEC Exit (legrandcontinent.eu)

• Iran retaliated with over 1,000 missiles and drones, hitting luxury hotels, oil plants, and desalination facilities.
• Strait of Hormuz closed; GDP contractions of 4–6% and price spikes up to 100%.
• UAE left OPEC on April 28, deepening divisions within the Gulf Cooperation Council.

"This article from Le Grand Continent examines the escalating crisis in the Arabian Gulf following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Iran retaliated with over a thousand missiles and drones targeting luxury hotels, oil infrastructure, and desalination plants across Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit chokepoint, is now closed. The UAE left OPEC on April 28, highlighting internal GCC divisions. Economic impacts include GDP contractions of 4-6%, price surges up to 100%, and a flight of foreign talent. The authors argue that a new security architecture is needed, with European involvement, as the US is no longer a reliable guarantor."