US crude exports hit record high in May as Iran war tightens global oil supplies

U.S. crude exports hit a record 5.6 million bpd in May as the Israel‑Iran war pushed Asian and European refiners to buy more American oil.
Asia was the top destination (Japan imported a record 808,000 bpd); Europe was a close second, with rare transatlantic buyers in the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
Exports are expected to ease in June/July as peace hopes narrow the WTI‑Brent discount and U.S. inventories tighten — about 5% of May exports came from the strategic petroleum reserve.