US Inflation Surges in March Driven by Energy Costs Amid Iran Conflict

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:58:00 +0200

The United States experienced a significant jump in inflation in March 2026, largely due to escalating energy costs following the war with Iran. According to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, the annual inflation rate rose to 3.3%, up from 2.4% in February, with a monthly increase of 0.9%. Gasoline prices surged by a record 21.2% in March, translating to an annual increase of 18.9%. The spike has caused consumer sentiment to plummet to historic lows, below levels recorded during both the Great Recession and the Covid-19 pandemic. Analysts warn that the impact of higher energy prices will ripple through other sectors, affecting food, transportation, and goods reliant on oil-based materials. Meanwhile, the stock market showed mixed results, with the Dow and S&P 500 posting weekly gains despite Friday declines. Oil prices remain volatile but are down from their war-era peaks. Other economic factors, including tariff refunds and rising prices in consumer goods, are compounding