Oil prices and oil & gas stocks surge collectively! A large number of U.S. military air and naval forces gather in the Middle East. Trump issues a final ultimatum.

Oil prices and oil and gas stocks surge collectively!

On the night of the 19th Beijing time, the U.S. oil and gas sector saw a significant rally, with Western Petroleum soaring nearly 10% at one point. That evening, international oil prices also rose across the board, with WTI crude and ICE Brent futures 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 trading, the gains in international gold and silver prices had narrowed.

That evening, reports indicated a large deployment of U.S. military air and naval forces in the Middle East. Some foreign media also reported that the U.S. military is prepared to strike Iran as early as this weekend.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a warning again on the 19th, stating that Iran must reach a “meaningful agreement” with the U.S., or “bad things” will happen.

U.S. military deployment in the Middle East

On the evening of February 19, CCTV International News cited CNN reports that U.S. forces have deployed fighters, early warning aircraft, and drones in multiple countries including Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE. The U.S. has also stationed several destroyers and near-sea combat ships near the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and the Strait of Hormuz, with the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, including F-35C Lightning II fighters, operating in the North Arabian Sea.

The Ford carrier strike group is expected to arrive as early as this weekend. Experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies analyzed satellite images and found that Iran has recently reinforced military and nuclear facilities. Additionally, Iran and Russia began joint naval exercises on the 19th. The commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy previously stated that Iran’s navy can close the Strait of Hormuz at any time upon receiving orders.

According to Xinhua News Agency citing U.S. media, President Trump also said on the 19th that Iran must reach a “meaningful agreement” with the U.S., or “bad things” will happen.

Fears of potential U.S.-Iran conflict caused WTI crude futures to surge over 2% on Thursday evening, reaching an intraday high of $66.70 per barrel, the highest since August last year. ICE Brent crude also rose more than 2% intraday. By the close, WTI March futures gained 1.9%, and Brent April futures increased 1.86%.

Matt Britzman, senior stock analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said, “Oil prices continue to rise, with Brent crude back above $70 per barrel… driven by concerns over U.S.-Iran military confrontation.” He added, “Negotiations over nuclear issues seem to have stalled, and geopolitical premiums are clearly reasserting themselves.” Davy Morrison, an analyst at Trade Nation, also noted that the deployment of significant U.S. military assets in the region has unsettled investors.

That evening, U.S. stock markets saw a broad rally in oil stocks, with Western Petroleum surging nearly 10%, Murphy Oil and EQT Energy rising nearly 4%, and ExxonMobil up over 1.5%.

Notably, Western Petroleum’s sharp rise was partly due to its quarterly earnings exceeding market expectations, in addition to the rise in oil prices. The company’s financial report released after market close on Wednesday showed that in Q4 2025, revenue was $5.42 billion, down 5.2% year-over-year; net loss attributable to common shareholders was $68 million, and adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders was $315 million, or $0.31 per share. The difference mainly stems from costs related to the sale of OxyChem assets and transaction expenses. Adjusted earnings per share significantly exceeded the expected $0.18.

Iranian President: We will not yield to U.S. coercion

According to CCTV News, on February 18 local time, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stated that Iran will not succumb to U.S. coercion.

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,” and all sectors of Iranian society should work together to address national and people’s issues.

Recently, the U.S. has repeatedly threatened military intervention in Iran and has continued to strengthen military deployments in the Middle East. On the 18th, U.S. officials indicated that although Trump has not yet made a final decision on military action against Iran, the U.S. military is prepared to strike Iran as early as this weekend.

On the same day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that any new U.S. attack on Iran would have serious consequences. He called on all parties to exercise restraint and seek solutions that allow Iran to advance its peaceful nuclear program.

Additionally, on February 19 local time, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki urged Polish citizens currently in Iran to leave as soon as possible and called on the Polish public to cease travel plans to Iran. Morawiecki emphasized the seriousness of this request and reiterated that in the event of “hot conflict,” no one can guarantee the safe evacuation of Polish citizens.

On the 19th, the European Union Council issued a statement confirming that, following the political agreement reached by the Foreign Affairs Committee on January 29, the Council officially decided to list the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a “terrorist organization.”

After being designated as a “terrorist organization,” the IRGC will be subject to restrictive measures under EU counter-terrorism sanctions, including freezing its funds and financial assets or economic resources within EU member states, and prohibiting EU institutions from providing funds or economic resources to the organization. Currently, 13 individuals and 23 groups/entities are subject to these measures.

On the 19th, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech at the graduation ceremony of the Israel Defense Forces officer school, stating that Israel “is prepared for any situation.” If Iran launches missiles at Israel, “the response will be unimaginable.”

Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is working shoulder to shoulder with its main ally, the United States, to counter Iran’s threats. He also revealed that during his meeting with President Trump last week, he had briefed the U.S. on Israel’s stance and principles regarding negotiations with Iran.

(Article source: Securities Times)