Intraday collective decline! Iran's oil sector suddenly reports major news! Trump makes demands on Japan

Oil Prices Plunge!

On the morning of March 20, international oil prices continued to fall, with WTI crude and Brent crude dropping over 3%. As of the time of writing by Securities Journal China, WTI crude fell 3.02% and Brent crude dropped 3.20%, trading at $92.53 per barrel and $100.58 per barrel respectively. Yesterday during trading, Brent crude surged over 9%, briefly breaking $112 per barrel, and closed with a slight increase of 0.15% at $103 per barrel.

Most domestic commodity futures also opened lower. As of the time of writing, main contracts for crude oil and low-sulfur fuel oil both declined over 7%, fuel oil fell over 6%, and methanol dropped nearly 5%. A-shares in oil and gas concept stocks collectively declined, with Pioneering Hengxin falling nearly 10%, Zhunyou Co. down over 8%, Heshun Petroleum and Taishan Petroleum down over 7%, and China National Petroleum and Sinopec down over 3%.

Latest updates on Iran situation: Iran’s Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Committee spokesperson Ebrahim Rezaei said Iran currently has no plans to negotiate with the U.S. Additionally, the security situation on Halek Island remains stable, and Iran’s oil exports are ongoing.

Domeniques, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, said on the 19th that naval escort is not a sustainable long-term solution to the current Strait of Hormuz crisis. Only when the conflict ends will shipping cease to be a collateral victim.

On the 19th, the Israeli military announced that it has destroyed about 85% of Iran’s air defense and detection systems, and disabled or destroyed 60% of ballistic missile launchers.

Iranian Officials: No Plans to Negotiate with the U.S.

According to Xinhua News Agency citing IRNA on the 20th, Iran’s Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Committee spokesperson Ebrahim Rezaei said Iran currently has no plans to negotiate with the U.S. Any claims of ceasefire or negotiations are false information spread by the U.S. to control energy prices. Additionally, the security situation on Halek Island remains stable, and Iran’s oil exports continue.

Rezaei stated that recent Iranian actions have achieved significant results, inflicting “more decisive” heavy blows on enemies. Any country allowing Iran’s adversaries to use its territory or military bases in any form will be considered a direct participant in the conflict and targeted by Iran.

According to CCTV News, on the evening of March 19, Abdolahi, commander of the Central Command of Iran’s armed forces, said Iran has repeatedly stated that although U.S. President Trump often issues verbal threats, he must understand that Iran’s armed forces have prepared “surprises” for him and Israel. Abdolahi added, “Today, striking U.S. fifth-generation fighter jets F-35 is just one example; they should expect more ‘surprises’.”

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated at a press conference on the evening of the 19th that after Israel and the U.S. conducted airstrikes on the 20th, Iran no longer has the capability to enrich uranium or produce ballistic missiles, but military actions against Iran will continue until necessary.

Netanyahu said Israel “alone” carried out airstrikes on Iran’s natural gas fields, and will “comply” with U.S. President Trump’s call to “pause” subsequent strikes on energy facilities.

Earlier that day, Trump told the media at the White House that he had informed Netanyahu not to attack Iran’s energy facilities.

On the 19th, the Israeli military announced that it has destroyed about 85% of Iran’s air defense and detection systems, and disabled or destroyed 60% of ballistic missile launchers.

According to Israeli sources, since the large-scale military operation against Iran began, the Israeli Air Force has launched over 12,000 munitions targeting Iranian government sites, including 3,600 aimed at Tehran.

Israeli military chief Zamiir reportedly said in an internal discussion that Israel’s military actions against Iran are “not even halfway done.” Some senior military officials hinted that there is no timetable for ending this war.

Trump Urges Japan to Support Iran Conflict

According to Xinhua, U.S. President Trump met with Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide at the White House on the 19th. He said they would discuss many issues in trade, energy, and other fields, as well as Japan’s support for U.S. military actions against Iran.

During the media session, Trump expressed satisfaction with Japan’s support for the U.S. in the Iran conflict, contrasting it with European allies, saying Japan “really stepped up,” unlike NATO. He did not provide specific details.

Recently, Trump has been urging European countries and other allies to participate in escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, complaining that some allies are not enthusiastic about assisting the U.S. On the 17th, he posted on social media that most NATO allies have informed the U.S. they are unwilling to participate in military actions against Iran, and that the U.S. “no longer needs or expects” NATO countries’ help.

Prime Minister Suga said the meeting would focus on economic security cooperation between Japan and the U.S. in energy and rare earths, and she brought specific suggestions to stabilize global energy markets.

When asked why the U.S. did not notify Japan or other allies before attacking Iran, Trump replied, “We didn’t tell anyone because we wanted to surprise them.” He then compared the attack on Iran to Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II, saying no one understands “surprise” better than Japan.

While Trump spoke, Suga took a deep breath, shifted in her seat, and tried to keep a smile on her face.

Latest from the International Maritime Organization

According to CCTV News, IMO Secretary-General Domingues said on the 19th that naval escort is not a long-term sustainable solution to the current Strait of Hormuz crisis. Only when the conflict ends will shipping cease to be a collateral victim.

The 36th special session of the IMO Council concluded at its headquarters in London, UK. Domingues stated at a press conference that naval escort is not a foolproof safety measure; ships can still be targeted, and risks remain. It is not a solution that can fully eliminate the pressure and risks faced by sailors today.

Regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the IMO Council encouraged establishing a framework similar to a maritime safety corridor as an emergency temporary measure. This would facilitate the voluntary evacuation of ships from high-risk and affected areas through peaceful means.

Data from the IMO shows that since the large-scale military operation against Iran on February 28, at least 7 sailors have been killed in attacks on merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz, with several others injured. Currently, about 20,000 sailors remain on ships stranded in the Persian Gulf.

(Article source: Securities Journal China)