Inflation increases to 2.5% in Europe as Iran war boosts energy prices

Europe's inflation rate rose to 2.5% in March, according to official figures released Tuesday, as the Iran war sent fuel prices sharply higher. The annual rate for the 21 countries using the euro currency compared to 1.9% for February before the war started and blocked supplies of oil and gas from the Persian Gulf. Energy prices increased 4.9% percent in March compared to a 3.1% decline in February, Eurostat figures showed.