Summary:Oil settles at seven-week highs, extending mid-January rallyIran export risks support prices amid protest crackdownVenezuela supply return caps upsideRussia, Azerbaijan add background supply riskVolatility dominates despite surplus outlookOil climbed as Iran-related supply risks outweighed expectations of returning Venezuelan barrels, gains seen since mid-last week.Oil prices climbed to their highest levels in around seven weeks on Monday, extending gains that began in the middle of last week as markets weighed escalating geopolitical risks against the prospect of additional sanctioned supply returning to the market.Brent crude settled up 0.8% at $63.87 a barrel, its highest close since mid-November, while U.S. WTI rose 0.6% to $59.50, the strongest settlement since early December. The advance reflects growing concern that Iran’s oil exports could be disrupted as authorities crack down on nationwide anti-government protests.Tensions surrounding Iran intensified after President Donald Trump said Washington was weighing responses to the crackdown, including the possibility of talks with Iranian officials while also threatening military action. Although Tehran said it is keeping communication channels open, traders focused on the risk that sanctions enforcement or security concerns could curb shipments.Data from tanker-tracking firms show Iran currently holds a record volume of crude on the water, around 50 days of output, highlighting both export challenges and the vulnerability of flows should tensions escalate. Reduced Chinese buying due to sanctions has added to uncertainty around near-term supply.Offsetting those concerns are expectations that supply could rise from Venezuela, where oil exports are set to resume following the ouster of President Nicolás Maduro. The U.S. has signalled that up to 50 million barrels of sanctioned Venezuelan crude could be transferred, with trading houses already lining up vessels to restart shipments. The return of Venezuelan barrels has capped oil’s upside, even as geopolitical risk supports prices.Elsewhere, traders are monitoring potential disruptions from Russia amid attacks on energy infrastructure, alongside lower export volumes from Azerbaijan and policy signals from Norway reinforcing long-term oil and gas development.
This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.
💡 DMK Insight
Oil’s rise to seven-week highs signals a complex interplay of geopolitical tensions and supply dynamics. The ongoing protests in Iran are creating significant export risks, which traders are clearly pricing in. This situation is exacerbated by the uncertainty surrounding Venezuela’s supply return, which, while potentially capping upside, hasn’t deterred bullish sentiment. Traders should be aware that volatility is likely to persist, especially as Russia and Azerbaijan add layers of supply risk to the mix. The market’s current focus on geopolitical factors over the anticipated surplus suggests that short-term trading strategies might benefit from monitoring these developments closely. Key resistance levels to watch are around recent highs, while support could be tested if Venezuelan barrels come back online sooner than expected. Keep an eye on the daily charts for breakout patterns, as these could signal further momentum in either direction.
📮 Takeaway
Watch for oil prices to test recent highs; geopolitical tensions could drive volatility, while any news on Venezuelan supply could shift sentiment quickly.






