Lockheed Martin(US:LMT) Benzinga·2026-02-18 07:22Group 1 - Iran announced the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz for live-fire drills, impacting global shipping and U.S. defense contractors as regional tensions rise [1] - The Strait of Hormuz is crucial as it handles 20% of the world's oil, leading to increased scrutiny on tanker companies and defense stocks [2] - As of February 18, Brent crude is trading at approximately $67.63 per barrel, up 0.31%, while West Texas Intermediate is at about $62.40 per barrel, higher by 0.22% [2] Group 2 - Despite military tensions, Iranian Foreign Minister expressed optimism for a sustainable solution during a U.N. disarmament conference, indicating a potential diplomatic opening [4] - U.S. Vice President noted that while some progress has been made in indirect nuclear talks, Iran has not acknowledged certain "red lines" set by the previous administration [4]