New York – Oil prices edged lower on Friday, February 20, 2026, as investors reacted to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, with the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude falling slightly to $66.39 per barrel. March futures contracts for WTI closed down 4 cents from the previous session.
The movement came amid heightened rhetoric from Washington, where President Donald Trump indicated he was contemplating a limited military action against Iran as a means of pressuring Tehran to negotiate constraints on its nuclear program. “I suppose I can say that I’m considering it,” Trump told reporters at the White House, referencing a potential strike within Iranian territory near a substantial deployment of U.S. Naval forces.
Iran swiftly responded to Trump’s comments. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Iran would reciprocate any use of force by the United States. “If you speak with the Iranian people with the language of respect, we respond with the same language. But if you speak to us with the language of force, we would respond with the same language,” Araghchi stated in an interview. “I think the Iranians have demonstrated they are a very proud people. We only respond to the language of respect and this is the way they can speak to us, and they would see the result.”
Reports from CNN and The New York Times earlier in the week suggested that U.S. Military forces were prepared for potential strikes against Iran as early as the weekend. These reports coincided with a broader rise in oil prices, reflecting concerns about potential disruptions to supply from the Middle East. Oil settled up 4% on Thursday, February 19, 2026, driven by both the U.S.-Iran tensions and the stalled peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, according to Reuters.
Still, the initial surge in oil prices began to moderate as discussions regarding a potential second round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks gained traction. Earlier in the week, oil prices had risen on anticipation of these talks, according to Mix Vale. A previous rise in prices was also noted, with oil prices sliding 2% to a two-week low on talk of progress in U.S.-Iran talks, Reuters reported.
The complex interplay between military posturing, diplomatic efforts, and geopolitical events continues to influence the oil market. As of Friday’s close, the outcome of the potential U.S.-Iran negotiations remains uncertain, and the possibility of military escalation has not been ruled out by the Trump administration.