Inflation accelerated in September, with the Consumer Price Index rising 3.7% from a year earlier, up from 3.4% in August, according to Labor Department data released Wednesday. Prices also increased 0.6% over the month, marking a faster pace than August’s 0.4% gain.

The latest figures highlight the renewed pressure on American households as higher fuel costs spread through the economy. Inflation had fallen substantially from its 9.1% peak in 2022, but price increases have picked up again since fighting between the United States and Iran began in late February.

Energy costs have been a major driver of the recent acceleration. Gasoline prices climbed approximately 9% from August to September, while airfares rose about 23% compared with a year earlier. Although gas prices have eased in recent weeks, the national average remained around $4.34 per gallon Tuesday.

Core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, also moved higher. Core prices rose 2.6% annually in September, compared with 2.4% in August, while increasing 0.3% over the month for the second consecutive month.

The figures present another challenge for the Trump administration and congressional Republicans heading into the midterm elections, as the cost of living remains a central economic concern. An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that 17% of U.S. adults approved of President Donald Trump’s handling of the cost of living, while 26% approved of his overall economic performance.

The Federal Reserve is also weighing how to respond to inflation that remains above its 2% target. Chairman Kevin Warsh has warned that price increases have remained elevated for too long, though policymakers face a difficult choice: higher interest rates can restrain consumer spending and borrowing but cannot directly resolve supply disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

The Fed is scheduled to meet Oct. 27-28. Investors have largely expected policymakers to hold rates steady at that meeting, while another increase could remain on the table for December.

Higher fuel prices are also raising operating costs for businesses, creating the potential for further increases in consumer prices. Transportation, shipping and manufacturing expenses can all rise when energy becomes more expensive, leaving companies to absorb the added costs or pass them along to customers.

PepsiCo announced last week that it would raise prices on several snack brands, including Doritos, Ruffles and Sun Chips, as well as some beverages, citing higher costs for fuel, aluminum and food ingredients.

Technology products are facing additional cost pressures from the rapid expansion of data centers and other infrastructure supporting Super Intelligence. Semiconductor chips, computer equipment and electrical components have become more expensive, contributing to higher costs for some consumer electronics.

Nintendo raised the price of its Switch 2 gaming system by 11% on Sept. 1, bringing it to $499.99. Apple’s latest iPhone has also carried a higher price than the previous upgrade, although some of the difference reflects changes in features and capabilities.

With energy costs feeding into transportation and production expenses, September’s inflation report suggests that price pressures remain a concern for consumers, businesses and policymakers. The central question for the coming months is whether inflation will begin easing again or continue to complicate the economic outlook ahead of the midterm elections.