Trump’s Iran Ultimatum, UK Posts Biggest Ever Budget Surplus | The Opening Trade 2/20/2026

The US military is stationing a vast array of forces in the Middle East, including two aircraft carriers, fighter jets and refueling tankers, with President Donald Trump saying that Iran had 10 to 15 days at most to strike a deal over its nuclear program. Britain recorded the biggest budget surplus on record as a bumper month for the public finances was augmented by a surge in inflows of capital gains tax and lower debt payments. Revenue exceeded spending by £30.4 billion ($41 billion) in January — £15.9 billion more than the gap a year earlier, according to official statistics released Friday. The figure was higher than the £24 billion forecast by economists and the Office for Budget Responsibility. (Source: Bloomberg)