US faces rising costs with Iran war driving energy prices, inflation higher

US consumer prices have risen for the second consecutive month, driven by a surge in energy prices. Energy prices surged by 17.9 percent over the last 12 months, with petrol prices up 28.4 percent compared to the same period last year. The average price for a gallon of petrol is $4.50, up from $2.98 when the US first struck Iran. Airfares also rose by 2.8 percent, driven by heightened jet fuel costs