US: Residents voice frustration as costs climb amid Iran war.

Shotlist Washington D.C., USA - March 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 1. White House, U.S. flag, traffic 2. Traffic Massachusetts, USA - Recent (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland) 3. SOUNDBITE (English) resident (name not given): "I commute about 20 miles to work every day, luckily I do have a Prius, but the prices have gone up significantly. And for hardworking Americans like me and a lot of people out there, the prices can hurt the bank account." Washington D.C., USA - Recent (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 4. Various of gas station, fuel dispenser Massachusetts, USA - Recent (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland) 5. SOUNDBITE (English) resident (name not given) (ending with shot 6): "Most especially, energy prices, natural gas that we use to heat the house." Miami, Florida, USA - Recent (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland) 6. Various of people filling gas at gas station Miami, USA - Recent (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 7. Various of street views Massachusetts, USA - Recent (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland) 8. SOUNDBITE (English) resident (name not given): "Absolutely. I have noticed so many increases in like gas prices. You go over to the gas (station), it's like 4 U.S. dollars or 5 U.S. dollars (per gallon). You know what I mean? How are you supposed to live on this? It's insane. Food. You know (compared to) just a couple of months ago, you go to a grocery store and food is just so much more expensive. It's just the price of taxes going up." Los Angeles, California, USA - 2026 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland) 9. Various of traffic Massachusetts, USA - Recent (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland) 10. SOUNDBITE (English) resident (name not given): "I mean I understand where Trump is coming from, trying to blot out, as you would say, Iran's capabilities of having nuclear possibilities. However, at the same time, we're suffering in the wake of everything that he has done thus far. So economically, energy, all those things are making the American people upset and unhappy. So he should concentrate on dealing with America first." Los Angeles, California, USA - 2026 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland) 11. Various of car owner refueling car at gas station 12. Various of gas station; people entering room Massachusetts, USA - Recent (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland) 13. SOUNDBITE (English) resident (name not given): "I also think that the priority should always be the American people. And I think the American people have already been struggling. And I think it's just the price of living has just gone up. It has become even harder to live and just to make ends meet. So I think the priority first and foremost should always be to helping the American people (to have) a stable economy." Washington D.C., USA - Oct 2024 (CCTV Video News Agency - No access Chinese mainland) 14. Various of Capitol building, U.S. national flag Storyline Mounting inflation and household strain are amplifying calls across the United States to end the war with Iran, with residents urging the government to shift focus to restoring economic stability at home. The war, which U.S. President Donald Trump claimed "could be ended in four days," has now dragged on for more than 100, fueling domestic inflation and public frustration. Across Massachusetts, residents described how rising costs for fuel, food and utilities are straining household budgets and sharpening frustration with the conflict. "I commute about 20 miles to work every day, luckily I do have a Prius, but the prices have gone up significantly. And for hardworking Americans like me and a lot of people out there, the prices can hurt the bank account," said one resident. Beyond gasoline, consumers are reporting sharp increases in grocery bills and utility costs. "Most especially, energy prices, natural gas that we use to heat the house," another local resident in Massachusetts said. "Absolutely. I have noticed so many increases in like gas prices. You go over to the gas (station), it's like 4 U.S. dollars or 5 U.S. dollars (per gallon). You know what I mean? How are you supposed to live on this? It's insane. Food. You know (compared to) just a couple of months ago, you go to a grocery store and food is just so much more expensive. It's just the price of taxes going up," said a third. While Trump defended the strikes on Iran as a necessary measure to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats, residents said that the government's top priority should be restoring economic stability for the sake of people's livelihoods. "I mean I understand where Trump is coming from, trying to blot out, as you would say, Iran's capabilities of having nuclear possibilities. However, at the same time, we're suffering in the wake of everything that he has done thus far. So economically, energy, all those things are making the A