# US Inflation Tops 4% for the First Time in Three Years as War-Driven Gasoline Prices Surge

*2026-06-10 18:03 UTC · Business · 1 min read*

> US consumer prices rose 4.2% in May, topping 4% for the first time in three years as war-driven energy costs surged, with gasoline up 40.5% year over year.

US consumer prices rose 4.2% in the twelve months through May, up from 3.8% in April — the first reading above 4% since May 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Energy accounted for more than 60% of the monthly increase: gasoline jumped 40.5% year over year and is up roughly 50% since January, as the war with Iran and the disruption of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz pushed fuel costs sharply higher.

Food prices also climbed — tomatoes rose 32%, lettuce about 25% and coffee 17.5%, with groceries overall up 2.7%. Airfares increased, while new vehicles, furniture and prescription drugs got cheaper, suggesting tariff-related price passthrough is fading. Core inflation, which strips out food and energy, rose a more moderate 2.9%.

The report has upended expectations for interest-rate cuts: markets now price a 96% chance the Federal Reserve holds rates steady at its June 17 meeting, and some analysts say a hike is back on the table. "The Fed will be in no position to cut rates if this continues," one investment chief warned.

## Sources

- [npr.org](https://www.npr.org/2026/06/10/nx-s1-5853077/inflation-over-4-cpi-gasoline-prices)
- [cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cpi-report-today-may-2026-inflation-iran-war-trump/)
- [edition.cnn.com](https://edition.cnn.com/2026/06/10/economy/us-cpi-consumer-inflation-may)

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TechTools News · https://techtools.cz/tools/news/article/1808-us-inflation-tops-4-for-the-first-time-in-three-years-as-war-driven-gasoline
Česká verze: https://techtools.cz/tools/news/clanek/1881-inflace-v-usa-poprve-za-tri-roky-prekrocila-4-ceny-benzinu-zene-vzhuru-valka