- February 12, 2026
- Posted by: EWGFX
- Category: news
BEIJING, Feb 12 (Reuters) – Oil prices edged up on Thursday morning as investors worried about escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, on fears that any attacks on Tehran or shipping could lead to supply disruptions.
Brent crude oil futures were up 27 cents, or 0.39%, at $69.67 a barrel at 0350 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 29 cents, or 0.45%, to $64.92.
Both benchmarks settled higher on Wednesday. Brent futures gained 0.87% and WTI gained more than 1.05%, as investor worries about U.S.-Iran tensions overshadowed a build in U.S. crude stocks.
U.S. President Donald Trump said after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday that they reached no “definitive” agreement on how to move forward with Iran, but he insisted negotiations with Tehran would continue.
On Tuesday, Trump said he was considering sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East if a deal is not reached with Iran, even as Washington and Tehran prepared to resume talks.
U.S. and Iranian diplomats held indirect talks last week in Oman. The date and venue of the next round of U.S.-Iran talks have yet to be announced.
A sustained break above a $65–$66 level would require further escalation in the Middle East, while any de-escalation could quickly trigger profit-taking back toward $60-$61 in WTI, IG analyst Tony Sycamore said.
U.S. job growth unexpectedly accelerated in January and the unemployment rate fell to 4.3%, the Labor Department said, signalling health in the economy.