The ongoing conflict in Iran has severely impacted U.S. oil reserves, which have fallen to their lowest level since 2004, now nearing a critical 40-year low of 365 million barrels. This trend has resulted in six consecutive weeks of declines in crude oil stockpiles, alongside a significant drop in gasoline inventories, raising concerns about potential gas price spikes. Industry experts warn that emergency oil supplies are shrinking rapidly, and while some analysts suggest that the situation is not dire yet, the continued depletion of reserves could leave the U.S. exposed to market pressures and increased prices at the pump. As the conflict persists and refinery runs are disrupted, crude prices have started to rise, complicating the energy landscape further.