TOKYO, Feb 19 : Oil prices rose in Asian trade on Thursday as the U.S. and Iran attempted to ease a standoff in talks over Tehran's nuclear programme while both sides heightened military activity in the key oil-producing region. Brent futures climbed 24 cents, or 0.3 per cent to $70.59 a barrel by 0415 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 28 cents, or 0.4 per cent, to trade at $65.47 a barrel. Both benchmarks settled more than 4 per cent higher on Wednesday, posting their