In March alone, prices rose 0.9%.

The report shows that the war in Iran is driving up inflation, which had been steady for much of the past year, albeit still above the 2% Federal Reserve target. The conflict is having the effect of worsening affordability, which was already a top concern for voters.

The increase was almost entirely driven by spiking energy prices.

Before the war began in late February, crude oil was trading at about $67 a barrel. That price shot up to $112 earlier this month — a massive increase that rattled consumers and caused gas prices to spike.