U.S. stock oil and gas sector surges collectively! Trump sets another "deadline" Iran writes to the United Nations Russia's latest statement

On the night of the 19th Beijing time, the U.S. stock market’s oil and gas sector surged sharply, with Western Petroleum briefly rising nearly 10%. That evening, international oil prices also collectively rallied, with WTI crude and ICE Brent crude both increasing by over 2% intraday.

By the close, WTI crude futures for March gained 1.9%, and Brent crude futures for April rose 1.86%. The previous day, international oil prices had already surged over 4%. Gold prices also saw gains, with spot gold rising nearly 1% intraday and spot silver up over 2%. However, by the end of the trading session, the gains in international gold and silver prices had narrowed.

On the news front, according to CCTV News, a new round of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran has concluded, but the situation remains unresolved. The U.S. “timeline” continues to tighten, with military deployments and political pressure advancing in tandem; Israel claims it is “prepared for any scenario”; Iran states that negotiations and preparations for war are ongoing, with simultaneous reinforcement of defenses and military exercises.

Amid heightened tensions, U.S. President Trump on the 19th set a “final deadline,” saying whether the U.S. and Iran will reach an agreement will be clear “in about ten days.” The prospects of negotiation or conflict remain uncertain.

U.S. Continues to Shorten the “Timeline”

• “By mid-March”

On the 18th, senior U.S. officials stated that President Trump’s national security adviser discussed Iran at a White House war room meeting, emphasizing that all U.S. military forces involved in Middle East deployments should be in place by mid-March.

• “About ten days”

Trump said on the 19th during a so-called “Peace Committee” meeting that it is expected to be known within about ten days whether an agreement with Iran can be reached. He stated that now is the time for Iran to join the “path of peace.” He reiterated that Iran must reach a “meaningful agreement” with the U.S., or “bad things will happen.” He also mentioned that the U.S. has ordered 22 upgraded B-2 bombers again.

That day, Trump also said in an interview that Iran has 10 to 15 days to reach an agreement, adding, “I think that should be enough.” When asked about potential targets for military strikes, Trump responded, “I won’t discuss that with you. We either reach an agreement, or it will be unfortunate for them.” Other reports suggest Iran has at most 15 days to negotiate issues like its nuclear program with the U.S., and Trump implied that if Iran does not do so, the U.S. will attack.

• “This weekend”

Sources on the 18th revealed that U.S. forces are prepared for a “military strike on Iran as early as this weekend,” though Trump has not yet made a final decision. An insider said that senior U.S. national security officials have told Trump that the military is ready to strike Iran as early as the 21st of this month.

U.S. Military Buildup in the Middle East

Israel Issues New Threats

According to U.S. reports on the 18th, increasing evidence suggests that a U.S. military action against Iran is “imminent,” likely involving a large-scale operation lasting several weeks. The U.S. and Israel are expected to coordinate, with a scale much larger than the “June 12 War” last year.

• Deployment of Two Aircraft Carriers and Hundreds of Aircraft

The U.S. has deployed multiple destroyers and littoral combat ships near the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Strait of Hormuz; in the North Arabian Sea, the “Abraham Lincoln” carrier strike group, including F-35C Lightning II fighters, is present. The “Ford” carrier strike group is expected to arrive as early as this weekend.

In addition to naval forces, The Wall Street Journal reports that the U.S. currently has the largest air power deployment in the Middle East since the Iraq War in 2003. According to disclosed data, the U.S. has at least 36 F-16 fighters, 12 F-22 fighters, and over 60 F-35 fighters in the region. Support and logistics aircraft, including KC-135 and KC-46A tankers, number over 40.

Some U.S. officials say that the current deployment can sustain weeks of continuous air strikes against Iran. Notably, at least six E-3 AWACS aircraft have recently been deployed from the U.S. mainland to the UK and Germany, often seen as a precursor to military action.

• Israel: “Prepared for Any Scenario”

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on the 19th stated that “Israel is prepared for any scenario.” If Iran launches missiles at Israel, “it will face an unimaginable response.”

Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is working shoulder-to-shoulder with its main ally, the U.S., to counter Iran’s threats. He also said that Israel’s security policy has shifted from merely “deterring” threats to actively striking abroad.

Negotiations and Preparations for War Are Ongoing!

Iranian President: Will Not Yield to U.S. Coercion

On February 18, Iranian President Raisi stated that Iran will not succumb to U.S. pressure.

Raisi said that Europe, the U.S., and Israel—who have committed genocide—do not want Iran to be independent, but Iran must pursue self-reliance “at all costs.” All sectors of Iranian society should work together to address national and people’s issues.

In response to escalating military pressure, Iran is simultaneously conducting military exercises and reinforcing defenses.

On the morning of the 19th, Iran and Russia launched joint naval exercises in the Oman Sea and northern Indian Ocean; earlier, on the 16th and 17th, Iran’s armed forces held live-fire drills in the Strait of Hormuz. The commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy explicitly stated that they are ready to block the Strait of Hormuz at any time upon command.

Additionally, U.S. think tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies analyzed satellite images and found that Iran is reinforcing multiple sensitive facilities: parts of the Parchin military site have been covered with concrete and earth; three tunnel entrances at the Isfahan nuclear facility have been buried; and an entrance near Natanz nuclear site has also been reinforced.

Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Moghaddam Jahan on the 18th said that negotiations and military preparedness are two complementary strategies to protect Iran’s interests, and that Iran’s defense forces are in full combat readiness.

Iran Sends Letter to the UN: Not Seeking War

Will Respond if Attacked

On February 19, Iran’s Permanent Mission to the UN officially informed the Security Council that recent public statements by the U.S. President regarding possible military action violate the UN Charter “brazenly,” and urged the Security Council to take immediate action.

The letter states that President Trump, in a social media post on February 18, explicitly said that if Iran does not reach an agreement, “the U.S. may need to use Diego Garcia military base and F.E. Warren Air Force Base to strike.” Iran considers such remarks as a public threat of force, violating Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the UN Charter, which prohibits threats or use of force.

The letter notes that the regional situation is already tense, and U.S. military deployments combined with “belligerent rhetoric” pose a real risk of conflict, which could have “disastrous consequences” for regional and international peace and security.

Iran states that it remains committed to resolving disputes through diplomacy and has sincerely engaged in nuclear negotiations. The letter calls for the full lifting of unilateral sanctions against Iran. It reaffirms Iran’s rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to peaceful nuclear energy.

Iran urges the Security Council to fulfill its primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security, urging the U.S. to immediately cease threats of force and comply with the UN Charter. The letter also states that if Iran is attacked militarily, it will exercise its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the Charter, and that the U.S. will bear full responsibility for any consequences.

The letter emphasizes that Iran does not seek tension or war, nor will it initiate conflict. If attacked, Iran will respond, and all bases, facilities, and assets of “hostile forces” in the region will be legitimate targets.

Russia: If U.S.-Iran Reach Agreement

Ready to Receive Iran’s Enriched Uranium

On the 19th, Russia’s state nuclear corporation announced that if U.S.-Iran negotiations progress and an agreement on Iran’s nuclear issue is reached, Russia is prepared to receive Iran’s enriched uranium.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on the 18th said that the U.S. demand for Iran to completely abandon uranium enrichment in the second round of indirect talks is “inappropriate,” and Iran has the right to carry out peaceful uranium enrichment.

Experts: Two Factors Have Suddenly Increased Tensions

Niu Xinchun, Executive Dean of the China-Arab States Research Institute at Ningxia University, analyzed that the recent sharp escalation is mainly due to two factors.

First, the negotiations have failed to make substantive breakthroughs. Despite two recent rounds of talks and both sides claiming progress and willingness to continue, they have not budged on core issues. This situation is highly similar to the prelude to the June 2025 Israeli military strike on Iran—after five rounds of talks, each claiming progress but ultimately failing to reach any agreement, leading to conflict. Niu Xinchun pointed out that according to the U.S. policy of “talk if possible, fight if not,” a deadlock in negotiations naturally increases the likelihood of military options.

Second, military deployments are nearly complete. Niu Xinchun said the U.S. could be ready to strike as early as this Saturday, when the second carrier strike group arrives in the Middle East. However, whether action will be taken still depends on Trump’s decision.

Niu Xinchun further noted that if the U.S. chooses to use force this time, the biggest difference from the 2025 “12th War” is the unclear target of the strike. He explained that last time, the goal was very clear—to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities—making the operation straightforward. This time, U.S. statements are more chaotic: initially, they said they would “punish” Iran for crossing red lines during domestic unrest, then mentioned “regime change,” and recently, they talk about using military strikes to pressure Iran and “substantially destroy” Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities. The main objectives remain unclear.

(Source: Huaxia Times)