Soaring cost of food and other staples squeezes Iranians as threat of US attack looms

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranians face a sudden surge in prices for food and daily essentials, and many families say they cannot keep up. The mounting costs only further strain the population as they fear a possible war with the U.S. and wrestle with the aftermath of protests that swept the country last month. The rial keeps falling against the dollar, hiking the cost of imports and raw materials. Uncertainty over potential war only drives prices higher. Shoppers in Tehran say staples like potatoes, milk, and meat have risen sharply in just a month. Some are buying in bulk in case the U.S. strikes.