During the session, collective decline! Iran oil, sudden major news! Trump makes demands on Japan

Oil Prices Plunge!

On the morning of March 20, international oil prices continued to fall sharply, with WTI crude and Brent crude dropping over 3%. As of the time of this report by Securities Journal China, WTI crude decreased by 3.02% and Brent crude by 3.20%, with prices at $92.53 per barrel and $100.58 per barrel, respectively. During yesterday’s trading session, Brent crude surged over 9%, briefly breaking through $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 this report, main contracts for crude oil and low-sulfur fuel oil fell over 7%, fuel oil dropped over 6%, and methanol declined nearly 5%. A-shares in oil and gas concepts collectively declined, with Pioneering Hengxin down 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: Spokesman for Iran’s Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Ibrahim 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.

Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Kitack Lim, stated on the 19th that naval escort is not a long-term sustainable solution to the current Strait of Hormuz crisis. Only when conflicts cease can shipping avoid becoming collateral damage.

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 Iran’s ballistic missile launchers.

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

According to Xinhua News Agency citing IRNA on the 20th, Ibrahim Rezaei said Iran currently has no plans to negotiate with the U.S. and that claims of ceasefire or negotiations are false information spread by the U.S. to control energy prices. He also confirmed that the security situation on Halek Island remains stable and Iran’s oil exports continue.

Rezaei added that recent Iranian actions have achieved significant results, delivering “more decisive” blows to 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 Iran’s Hatam Base, stated that Iran had previously declared that although U.S. President Trump often issued verbal threats, he should understand that Iran’s armed forces are prepared with “surprises” for him and Israel. Abdolahi said, “Today, striking the U.S. fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets 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 deemed necessary.

Netanyahu claimed that Israel “alone” carried out airstrikes on Iran’s natural gas fields and that Israel would “comply” with U.S. President Trump’s call to “pause” further attacks 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.

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

According to Israeli sources, since the large-scale military operations 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 officials reportedly said that IDF Chief of Staff Zamiir indicated in an internal discussion that Israel’s military actions against Iran are “not even halfway done.” Some senior officers hinted that there is no timetable for ending this conflict.

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 including trade and energy, as well as Japan’s support for U.S. military actions against Iran.

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

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 reluctant. On the 17th, he posted on social media that most NATO allies have told 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 key areas like 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 Kitack Lim said on the 19th that naval escort is not a long-term sustainable solution to the current Strait of Hormuz crisis. Only when conflicts end can shipping avoid becoming collateral damage.

The IMO’s 36th Special Council meeting concluded at its headquarters in London, UK. Lim stated at a press conference afterward 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 pressures and dangers faced by sailors today.

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

Data from the IMO shows that since the large-scale military operations 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 seriously injured. Currently, about 20,000 sailors remain on ships stranded in the Persian Gulf.

Layout: Wang Lulu

Proofreading: Zhu Tianting