A majority of U.S. citizens believe the U.S. military's use of force against Iran was a mistake, according to a new poll published Friday.
Sixty-one percent of U.S. citizens say that using military force against Iran was a mistake, with fewer than 2 in 10 believing that the U.S. actions in Iran have been successful, according to the Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll.
About 4 in 10 say it has been unsuccessful, while another 4 in 10 say it is "too soon to tell", the poll showed.
The war in Iran is "as unpopular among Americans as the Iraq War during the year of peak violence in 2006 and the Vietnam War in the early 1970s," The Washington Post said.
The poll also noted that support for the war among Republicans remains high: 79 percent say it was the right decision.
In addition, most U.S. citizens believe that the U.S. military action against Iran carries potential risks. Among them, 61 percent think it would increase the risk of terrorism targeting U.S. citizens, 60 percent believe it would raise the likelihood of the U.S. economy falling into recession, and 56 percent say U.S. actions increase the risk of weakening relationships with U.S. allies.
On the economic front, the share of people saying they are "falling behind financially" has grown from 17 percent to 23 percent since February. High gasoline prices have already taken a noticeable toll on daily life: Among the respondents, 44 percent said they are driving less, 42 percent have cut back on household spending, and 34 percent have adjusted their travel plans.
About half of respondents expect oil prices to keep climbing over the next year, compared with just 21 percent who anticipate a decline.
61 pct of Americans deem U.S. war against Iran as mistake: poll
As the five-day May Day Holiday continues, the ongoing Shanghai International Flower Show is taking place not only in botanical gardens but also in major shopping centers and commercial districts across the city, enhancing the experiences of shoppers and visitors and fostering emotional resonance.
In Pudong, eight shopping malls have joined forces to create a "flower district," with artful floral installations displayed along sidewalks and storefronts. The flowers have been carefully integrated with individual shops and urban spaces, creating immersive designs tailored for each location.
"We designed nearly 40 floral displays, each themed to match the brands involved. For example, this Thai restaurant features Southeast Asian plants to highlight its identity," said Ye Zhenjing, deputy general manager of Shanghai Lujiazui Commercial Management Co., Ltd.
All around, playful flower sculptures have become selfie hotspots for shoppers of all ages, encouraging exploration.
"Adults need to relieve stress and rediscover childhood happiness, too. This year, our theme is animals. So both kids and grown-ups can share in the joy," said Ye.
"It definitely lifts your mood and makes visiting more fun. If this kind of event is happening, I'm more likely to come to malls like this," said a Shanghai shopper surnamed Zhou.
These vibrant displays are not limited to Pudong. For the first time, the Shanghai International Flower Show has expanded beyond botanical gardens to all 16 districts. In Huangpu, traditional shop windows have been transformed into urban flower showcases, while in Jing'an, a five-meter-tall floral puppy installation is trending on social media, drawing visitors and their pets for photos.
"In the past, professional flower shows were only in parks, but now they are in commercial districts. With the arrival of spring, shopping among the flowers is even more delightful," said Liu Min, deputy director of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce.
This year's Labor Day holiday runs for five consecutive days, from May 1 to May 5.
Shanghai Int'l Flower Show uplifts city shopping experience during Labor Day holiday
