Iran war spikes U.S. consumer prices: CNBC Survey

• U.S. consumer prices (CPI) rose 3.3% year-over-year, with gasoline prices jumping nearly 19% due to the 'Iran war'.
• A CNBC poll indicates 50% of Americans are more financially stressed than a year ago, 70% are struggling, and 54% are pessimistic about the U.S. economy.
• Consumers are cutting back on dining out (65%), brand-name groceries (59%), and clothing (51%), with many dipping into savings (40%) or using credit cards (39%) to cover daily expenses.

A CNBC survey reveals that the 'Iran war' (likely referring to broader Middle East tensions) is driving a significant spike in U.S. consumer prices, particularly gasoline, leading to an 'affordability crunch' for many Americans. The report highlights widespread financial stress, with consumers cutting back on spending and resorting to savings or extra work to cope with rising costs.