U.S. Crude Inventories Decline by 1.7 Million Barrels Amid Geopolitical Risk

U.S. commercial crude stockpiles fell to 409.7 million barrels, now 6% below the five-year seasonal average, according to EIA data. The draw exceeds previous API estimates and occurs against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions involving Iran. The data signals tightening supply conditions, though the extent to which geopolitical risk is driving current price volatility remains difficult to isolate from fundamental inventory shifts.