Geopolitics 18 February 2026 - 19 February 2026

Iran War Slams Markets Again: Oil Tops $110, Bonds Sell Off, Nasdaq Deepens Correction
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Iran War Slams Markets Again: Oil Tops $110, Bonds Sell Off, Nasdaq Deepens Correction

Global stocks slid Friday as Brent crude rose above $110 a barrel and Wall Street opened lower, following President Trump’s extension of the Iran shipping deadline. The Dow fell 450 points Thursday, the S&P 500 lost 1.7%, and the Nasdaq entered correction territory. Bond yields hit multi-year highs, while gold continued its decline. OECD cut its 2026 global growth forecast and raised inflation estimates.
March 27, 2026
Oil prices jump to six-month high as Iran tensions flare and U.S. stocks slide
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Oil prices jump to six-month high as Iran tensions flare and U.S. stocks slide

Brent crude rose 1.8% to $71.60 a barrel and U.S. WTI climbed 1.9% to $66.41, both hitting six-month highs Thursday amid renewed U.S.-Iran tensions and a surprise U.S. inventory draw. Iran briefly closed the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday, raising supply concerns. U.S. crude stocks fell by 9 million barrels last week, defying analyst forecasts. President Trump pressed Iran for a nuclear deal as Washington increased its military presence.
February 19, 2026
Brent crude price jumps above $70 on Hormuz jitters — what oil traders watch next
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Brent crude price jumps above $70 on Hormuz jitters — what oil traders watch next

Brent crude futures jumped 4.1% to $70.19 a barrel Wednesday as Middle East supply fears resurfaced after Iran briefly shut the Strait of Hormuz during military drills. U.S. WTI rose 4.3% to $64.93. Traders cited U.S.-Iran tensions, shifting U.S. naval deployments, and stalled Russia-Ukraine talks as drivers. Reuters reported odds of U.S. strikes on Iran by end-April at 65%.
February 18, 2026
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