Most oil and gas stocks showed strength on Friday, with Battalion Oil Corp (BATL.US) climbing more than 18%. Occidental (OXY.US) advanced nearly 3%, while EQT Corp (EQT.US) gained over 2%. Apache (APA.US) rose more than 1%, and ConocoPhillips (COP.US) added nearly 1%. The movement followed a 2.6% surge in Brent crude futures to $72.70 per barrel amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Recent satellite imagery revealed that 11 U.S. F-22 Raptor stealth fighters have been deployed to Ovda Airbase in southern Israel. Additionally, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S. Navy's largest aircraft carrier, has departed its base in Crete, Greece, and is heading toward Israel. Although the U.S. and Iran are scheduled to continue negotiations next week, the buildup of American military assets in the region has heightened concerns that the risk of conflict between the two countries is increasing.