US Oil and Gas Executives Cash Out Nearly $400 Million Amid Iran War Driving Up Energy Stocks

Since the outbreak of the Iran war, executives from several major US oil and gas companies have profited nearly $400 million by selling company stock. An analysis by the environmental organization "Friends of the Earth" of documents disclosed by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) found that insiders at US fossil fuel companies have sold nearly $400 million worth of stock since the war began. ConocoPhillips executives led the sales with approximately $96 million; executives from gas exporters Cheniere Energy and Venture Global followed closely behind. The recent stock sales by executives from these three companies have exceeded their total sales for the entire year of 2025. ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance sold nearly $80 million in stock through two transactions this March; Cheniere Energy executives also sold shares around the time the company's stock price hit a new high. Analysts point out that the rise in oil and gas company stock prices is directly related to soaring energy prices, and executives cashing out at high stock prices aligns with market incentive logic. However, critics argue that part of the corporate profit growth comes from increased energy costs due to geopolitical conflicts, which are ultimately borne by consumers, leading to calls for a windfall tax on energy companies. Currently, proposals for a windfall tax on the energy sector in the US have not gained support from the Republican Party.

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