Grocery prices in the United States rose at the fastest monthly rate in four years, driven by inflation linked to the ongoing war involving Iran. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, grocery prices increased by 0.7 percent in April, marking the sharpest monthly rise since 2022. Media reports noted that the surge confirms earlier warnings that the conflict with Iran is pushing up food costs for American consumers.

On an annual basis, fresh vegetable prices climbed by more than 44 percent compared to three months earlier, while staple items such as bread and milk rose by 8 percent and 6 percent respectively. Coffee and beef prices also showed sudden fluctuations, influenced by both the Iran war and other global factors. Rising transportation costs and strong demand have further contributed to the price increases.

The data suggest that US households are facing growing pressure from food inflation, with essential goods becoming increasingly expensive across multiple categories.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not think about the financial situation of ordinary Americans, emphasizing instead that his main concern is preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He made the remarks while responding to reporters’ questions about the economic impact of the ongoing war with Iran and rising inflation in the United States.

When asked whether growing inflation and economic pressure were motivating him to reach a deal with Tehran, Trump replied, “Not at all.” He reiterated that the only issue of importance to him regarding Iran is ensuring the country cannot develop nuclear arms. Another journalist questioned whether he was considering the economic strain on Americans caused by the conflict, to which Trump responded that everyone in the United States understands Iran must not possess nuclear weapons.

The war with Iran has driven up food and fuel prices, worsening daily life for ordinary Americans, according to the report.

The United States Department of Defense has reported that the cost of the ongoing war with Iran has reached approximately $29 billion. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth presented the updated figure during two hearings of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday. The disclosure came as part of discussions on the Pentagon’s proposed $1.5 trillion budget.

According to the hearings, the war expenditure has increased by about $4 billion over the past two weeks, up from a previous estimate of $25 billion. The Pentagon’s comptroller clarified that the new $29 billion figure does not yet include the cost of repairing U.S. facilities damaged by Iranian attacks, suggesting that the final total could rise further.

The hearings placed particular emphasis on the growing financial burden of the conflict and its implications for U.S. military strategy and defense spending priorities.

US Senator Chuck Schumer has called on Republican lawmakers to support efforts to pressure President Donald Trump to end the ongoing conflict with Iran. Amid rising fuel prices and economic strain, Schumer said that the continuation of the war is driving up living costs for ordinary Americans. In a post on social media platform X, he criticized Trump for refusing to stop the war, noting that Americans are paying more than $4.50 per gallon of gasoline.

Schumer argued that if Republicans truly care about reducing expenses and protecting US troops, they should support the Democrats’ War Powers Resolution aimed at ending the conflict with Iran. The Democratic Party has launched its seventh attempt to pass the resolution, which seeks to ensure that no president can conduct military operations for more than 60 days without congressional approval.

Previous Democratic efforts have failed due to their minority position in Congress and partisan divisions. However, with rising energy prices, military spending, and concerns over troop safety, the opposition is renewing political pressure on the administration.

US President Donald Trump will be accompanied by leading figures from the technology and business sectors during his upcoming visit to China, according to a White House official cited by Reuters. The delegation includes Tesla’s Elon Musk, Apple’s Tim Cook, GE Aerospace’s Larry Culp, Boeing’s Kelly Ortberg, Meta’s Dina Powell McCormick, BlackRock’s Larry Fink, Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman, and Mastercard’s Michael Miebach. Executives from Simon, Qualcomm, and Visa will also join, while Cisco’s Chuck Robbins will not attend due to business commitments. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was not invited.

The visit is expected to focus on easing trade and investment between the two countries. China may announce major purchases of Boeing aircraft, US agricultural products, and energy supplies. Sources indicate discussions are underway for a potential order of about 500 Boeing 737 Max and several dozen widebody jets, possibly the largest single aircraft deal in history.

Both sides will also discuss extending the suspension of their ongoing trade war, which could ensure continued Chinese exports of rare earth minerals to the United States. The White House said the trip will emphasize agriculture and commercial aviation as key areas of cooperation.

The United States has imposed new sanctions on three individuals and nine companies accused of helping Iran illegally supply oil to China. The U.S. Treasury Department announced the measures on Monday, targeting entities in Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. Officials said the sanctions focus on those assisting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in disguising oil sales and shipping operations to China. The move follows earlier sanctions issued last Friday against individuals and firms accused of aiding Iran’s drone and ballistic missile programs.

The sanctioned companies include Hong Kong Blue Ocean Limited, Hong Kong Sunmu Limited, Jiandi HK Limited, Max Honor International Trade Company, Dubai-based Ocean Allianz Shipping, Sharjah-based Atique Energy, and Oman’s Zeus Logistic Group. Treasury Secretary Scott Besent stated that the U.S. will continue using sanctions to curb Iran’s weapons development, nuclear activities, and funding of regional proxy groups. The State Department also announced a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the disruption of the IRGC’s financial network.

The action comes just days before a planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where Iran-related issues are expected to be discussed.

The United States government has announced a major step to stabilize the global energy market amid disruptions caused by the ongoing Iran-Israel war and a worldwide supply crisis. As part of an international agreement to control market volatility, the Trump administration is lending 50.33 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to several companies, according to a Reuters report.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) stated that the oil will be supplied to nine major energy firms, including ExxonMobil, Trafigura, and Marathon Petroleum. Last month, the DOE had announced the release of 92.5 million barrels, though companies accepted only 58 percent of that allocation. The current loan is part of a broader DOE plan to release 172 million barrels to address the global oil shortage.

The initiative aims to mitigate the adverse effects of the Iran-Israel conflict on global oil prices and ensure market stability through coordinated international measures.

An investigative report by Al Jazeera’s digital platform AJ Plus has revealed that bodies donated by U.S. citizens for research and education are being used to train Israeli military medical teams. The report, published on May 12, 2026, claims that a U.S. university sold these cadavers to the U.S. Navy, which then facilitated their use in Israeli military surgical training sessions held in Los Angeles. Crucially, the report states that neither the donors nor their families gave consent for such use.

AJ Plus journalist Dena Takruri’s investigation identified two American universities directly involved in the process: the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). The report highlights that bodies originally donated for scientific research are now being repurposed for wartime medical training.

The findings raise ethical questions about the handling of donated bodies and the transparency of agreements between academic institutions and military programs, though the report does not include official responses from the parties involved.

Most Americans are holding President Donald Trump responsible for the ongoing war with Iran and the resulting severe economic situation, according to a report from Al Jazeera’s Washington correspondent Mike Hanna. The report states that Trump has denied being under any pressure, saying there is no need for immediate action and that he prefers to proceed cautiously. He has claimed that oil prices will fall and the economy will recover once the war ends.

However, there is no clear indication of when the conflict might conclude, leaving ordinary Americans deeply concerned as living costs continue to surge. Rising fuel and diesel prices have driven up transportation costs, pushing essential goods beyond the reach of many households.

Public opinion increasingly links the economic crisis to the war initiated under Trump’s leadership, creating a significant political risk for him and the Republican Party as most Americans now directly blame the president for both the conflict and the deteriorating economy.

The United States’ ‘Gold Card’ program, launched by President Donald Trump to offer rapid permanent residency for a $1 million fee, is struggling to attract wealthy applicants. According to a CNBC report, the initiative, introduced in December last year, promised record-time residency approvals but has failed to deliver. Court filings reveal that despite the high cost, applicants are not guaranteed faster visa processing, undermining the program’s main appeal.

Data from the Department of Homeland Security show that only 338 people have applied so far, with just 165 paying the $15,000 initial fee. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had earlier projected 80,000 cards and over $100 billion in revenue. Legal experts note that the program’s shaky legal basis—launched by executive order without congressional approval—has led to court challenges. Critics argue it undermines existing EB-1 and EB-2 visa categories.

Immigration consultants say the lack of expedited processing and non-refundable payment make the Gold Card unattractive compared to the EB-5 program, which allows investment-based green cards with potential returns. Despite global demand for relocation among millionaires, the program has yet to gain traction.

U.S. President Donald Trump described the ongoing ceasefire with Iran as extremely fragile, saying it is effectively on life support. Speaking on May 11, 2026, he compared the situation to a patient with only a one percent chance of survival, underscoring his pessimism about the truce’s durability.

Trump also sharply criticized Iran’s response to Washington’s peace plan, calling Tehran’s proposal foolish and laughable. He asserted that no one would accept such a plan, signaling deep dissatisfaction with Iran’s approach to negotiations.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that Trump’s remarks could further heighten tensions between Washington and Tehran. Despite continuing diplomatic efforts to preserve the ceasefire, both sides’ hardened positions have left the situation uncertain and unstable.

U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a major military move against Iran as peace talks between Washington and Tehran have stalled. According to reports citing American media, Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress in negotiations and is now giving greater weight to military options than before.

Sources close to the discussions said that the ongoing blockade in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and internal divisions within Iran’s leadership are key factors behind Trump’s dissatisfaction. He reportedly believes that these internal conflicts have weakened Tehran’s ability to make significant concessions in nuclear or diplomatic talks.

Advisers to the president indicated that the possibility of military action has become more prominent in recent weeks. They believe Iran’s leadership struggles have reduced the government’s decision-making capacity, making it harder to advance negotiations.

U.S. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has accused former President Donald Trump of pushing the country toward an “illegal and costly” war with Iran. Schumer announced that Democrats will call another vote this week on the War Powers Resolution, aiming to withdraw American troops from the Iran conflict. He said Trump is leading the nation into a directionless and consequence-free war, and urged Congress to act to stop it.

In a post on social media platform X, Schumer stated that ending the “illegal war” is the best way to reduce costs and restore order. He warned that if Republicans vote against the resolution, they will share responsibility for Trump’s war. The War Powers Resolution was originally designed to limit a president’s authority to continue military action beyond 60 days without congressional approval.

Democrats have been trying for weeks to end the Iran conflict, but as the minority in Congress, most votes have split along party lines, making passage of the resolution uncertain.

President Donald Trump has reportedly been musing about who might succeed him within the Republican Party, often asking advisers whether they prefer Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio. At times, he has even joked about pairing them on the same 2028 presidential ticket. While aides say Trump is not seriously focused on the next election, the question of succession continues to attract attention.

Rubio has recently gained visibility through his handling of questions on the Iran war and a diplomatic trip to Italy, where he met Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and will soon accompany Trump to China. This has fueled speculation that Rubio could challenge Vance, though both men are said to maintain a friendly relationship and may avoid direct competition. Polls show Vance enjoys higher recognition among Republican voters, but Rubio’s growing profile and multilingual communication skills appeal to some supporters.

Analysts note that Vance’s close alignment with Trump’s policies could become a liability if the party performs poorly in upcoming midterms, while Rubio’s expanding diplomatic role may strengthen his standing within the party.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday rejected Iran’s response to a U.S. proposal aimed at halting ongoing conflicts. Tehran had conveyed its reply through Pakistan, which acted as a mediator. Without providing details, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that he had read the response from Iran’s so-called representatives and found it completely unacceptable.

According to Iranian state television, Tehran’s reply emphasized ending fighting on all fronts, with particular focus on the situation in Lebanon and ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the response did not specify how or when the key maritime route might reopen. The U.S. proposal had sought to stop hostilities before beginning discussions on Iran’s nuclear program and other disputes.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran’s proposal included an immediate ceasefire, lifting of the U.S. naval blockade, assurances against further attacks on Iran, and removal of all sanctions, including those on Iranian oil sales.