Oil Rally Pauses as Venezuela Resumes Exports Amid Global Oil Prices Iran Concerns

The energy market's caught in a tug-of-war. According to Reuters, the relentless climb in oil prices has finally taken a breather. While Venezuela is back in the shipping game, lingering fears over Iran's next move are keeping traders from breathing a full sigh of relief.

Global oil prices find relief in Venezuela exports

Supplies are finally flowing again. As of January 14, 2026, news that Venezuela has resumed crude shipments provided the market with a much-needed buffer. It's a significant shift that's managed to cool off the heating price charts we've seen lately. This resumption act as a vital safety valve for global energy inventories that were starting to look dangerously low.

Why Iran remains the wild card for energy security

Despite the Venezuelan boost, the shadow of Iran looms large. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to threaten the fragile balance of the supply chain. If these tensions boil over into a direct disruption, the current pause in price gains won't last long. Investors are reportedly watching the Strait of Hormuz closely, as any spark there could send prices skyrocketing regardless of South American output.