Headline inflation in the U.S. was 4.2% year-over-year in May 2026, according to corroborated data, up from 3.8% in April. The monthly change in the Consumer Price Index was 0.5% in May. Real wages declined for multiple consecutive months in early 2026. The U.S. is engaged in a war with Iran. Accounts differ on the headline inflation rate in April 2026: Western outlets reported 4.2%, while other and social news sources reported 3.8%. According to cnn.com, energy prices contributed 60% of the monthly inflation increase in May 2026. According to cnbc.com, energy prices contributed more than 40% of the headline inflation increase in April 2026, and the 12-month gain in energy prices was 17.9% as of April. Core inflation was 2.8% year-over-year and 0.4% month-over-month in April 2026, according to cnbc.com. The monthly change in the Consumer Price Index was 0.6% in April 2026, according to apnews.com. The Strait of Hormuz remained effectively shut in mid-2026, threatening oil flow and food prices, according to cnn.com. The U.S. is engaged in a US-Israeli war with Iran, according to cnn.com. Headline inflation was 4.2% year-over-year in April 2026, according to abc_au, and 3.5% in March 2026, according to scmp. The monthly change in the Consumer Price Index was 0.7% in March 2026, according to scmp. The U.S. inflation rate in November 2024 was 2.7%, according to bluesky.