South Africa’s annual inflation rate rises to a near two-year high in May, according to multiple outlets. The rate climbs to about 4.5%, the highest level in almost two years. Both reports attribute the increase largely to higher energy prices, linking the pressure on costs to the broader US–Israeli conflict involving Iran. The coverage describes the price impacts as spreading through the economy as energy costs feed into other prices faced by households. The reports do not offer differing figures beyond the broadly aligned “nearly two-year high” assessment, and both emphasize the same underlying driver: energy-related price growth tied to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East. Overall, the articles present a consistent picture of May’s inflation acceleration and its primary influence from energy costs, leaving the main focus on how external geopolitical developments are reflected in domestic pricing.