# OPEC+ set to keep oil production pause for March as prices jump, sources say | Reuters

> Delegates told Reuters that OPEC+ is set to keep its production pause for March even as crude rose above $70 a barrel. The rally reflects concern that the US could strike Iran, an OPEC member.

- Date: 2026-01-26 · published 2026-01-26T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: geopolitics · region Middle East · magnitude medium
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/20969-opec-set-to-keep-oil-production-pause-for-march-as-prices-jump-sources-say
- Commodities: [Crude Oil (WTI)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/WTI.md), [Crude Oil (Brent)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/BRENT.md)

## Why it matters

Geopolitical risk to Iranian exports adds a supply premium to crude, which lifts energy and freight costs for feed buyers. The pause itself offers no added supply, so prices are supported.

## Read by commodity

- WTI: bullish ▲
- BRENT: bullish ▲

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| WTI | 2023-01-24 | [OPEC+ Set To Keep Oil Production Unchanged \| OilPrice.com](https://feedsoft.ai/events/37688-opec-set-to-keep-oil-production-unchanged-oilprice-com.md) | -4.5% | -6.6% |
| WTI | 2020-06-08 | [Oil prices top $40 as OPEC+ extends production cuts \| Fox Business](https://feedsoft.ai/events/52796-oil-prices-top-40-as-opec-extends-production-cuts-fox-business.md) | -8.3% | +2.6% |
| WTI | 2018-11-07 | [Return to oil production cuts in 2019 cannot be ruled out - OPEC sources](https://feedsoft.ai/events/61945-return-to-oil-production-cuts-in-2019-cannot-be-ruled-out-opec-sources.md) | -10.5% | -15.0% |
| WTI | 2026-10-11 | [Oil Prices Jump 2% on Saudi Attacks as OPEC Sees Demand Rebound](https://feedsoft.ai/events/17243-oil-prices-jump-2-on-saudi-attacks-as-opec-sees-demand-rebound.md) | +7.5% | +4.9% |
| WTI | 2025-06-11 | [Oil prices jumps 4% to 2-month high as tensions rise in Middle East \| Reuters](https://feedsoft.ai/events/11156-oil-prices-jumps-4-to-2-month-high-as-tensions-rise-in-middle-east-reuters.md) | +15.2% | +5.8% |
| BRENT | 2023-01-24 | [OPEC+ Set To Keep Oil Production Unchanged \| OilPrice.com](https://feedsoft.ai/events/37688-opec-set-to-keep-oil-production-unchanged-oilprice-com.md) | -3.4% | -5.7% |
| BRENT | 2020-06-08 | [Oil prices top $40 as OPEC+ extends production cuts \| Fox Business](https://feedsoft.ai/events/52796-oil-prices-top-40-as-opec-extends-production-cuts-fox-business.md) | -7.2% | +3.3% |
| BRENT | 2018-11-07 | [Return to oil production cuts in 2019 cannot be ruled out - OPEC sources](https://feedsoft.ai/events/61945-return-to-oil-production-cuts-in-2019-cannot-be-ruled-out-opec-sources.md) | -8.3% | -13.6% |

## Sources

- marketscreener.com: https://www.marketscreener.com/news/opec-likely-to-maintain-oil-production-pause-for-march-as-prices-climb-sources-say-ce7e5bdbdb80f024
- reuters.com: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/opec-set-keep-oil-production-pause-march-prices-jump-sources-say-2026-01-30/

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.