The price of groceries rose more last month than they have in nearly four years, according to annualized data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fresh veggies are now more than 44% pricier than they were just three months ago, before the U.S. bombed Iran, assassinated its leadership, then found itself at a loss regarding what to do next after it failed to capitulate.
Other basic necessities like bread and milk have risen by a more modest 8% and 5% over that same time period, respectively. And then there is coffee and beef, two categories that are facing price shocks tied both to the Iran war and to factors far beyond the Middle East.
I noticed this with my brussels, which are no longer $2 a pound at Aldis. Iran's low-tech retaliation resulted in extensive damage to the Gulf's energy infrastructure and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz; there is currently a ceasefire and a blockade. President Trump made clear he doesn't care about how much I or anyone else is paying for their brussels, or for that matter gasoline.
Speaking on the White House South Lawn before departing for a diplomatic trip to China, Trump was asked to what extent "Americans' financial situations" were motivating him to make a deal with Iran.
"Not even a little bit," Trump replied. "The only thing that matters when I'm talking about Iran — they can't have a nuclear weapon. I don't think about Americans' financial situation. I don't think about anybody. I think about one thing — we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That's all."
The Pentagon claimed the war has cost $30bn so far; the true cost may be revealed in an emergency funding request for $200bn.
