President Donald Trump insists any deal with Iran would not allow that country to retain control of the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting Wednesday, Trump said the “strait will be open to everybody. It’s international waters.”
With the strait effectively closed for nearly three months, prompting U.S. gas prices to increase by about 50% since the Iran war began, Trump said he wasn’t feeling economically pressured to reopen the waterway that handles about 20% of the world’s oil during peacetime.
“The primary urgency is that we can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said, reiterating a point he has often made since the U.S. and Israel first attacked the country.
Over the weekend, the president said the Iran deal was “largely negotiated,” but on Wednesday he said Iran is “negotiating on fumes.”
—Spectrum News' Susan Carpenter
U.S. will need years to replenish stockpiles of advanced weapons used in the Iran war, analysis finds
U.S. military contractors need at least three years to replenish stockpiles of three key weapons systems used heavily in the Iran war, according to an analysis released Wednesday, adding to concerns that American forces would have limited firepower in any future conflict with China.
The weapons systems are Tomahawk cruise missiles, which are used to strike targets deep inside enemy territory, and Patriot and THAAD interceptors that defend against incoming missiles and drones.
"The United States has enough munitions for any plausible scenario in the Iran war, but the depleted inventories have created a window of vulnerability for a potential Western Pacific conflict," the Center for Strategic and International Studies said in its new report. "The time needed to rebuild those inventories has thus become a major concern."
—The Associated Press
Alabama asks Supreme Court to allow use of congressional map helping GOP, despite racial bias ruling
Alabama on Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to allow it to use a congressional map favoring Republicans in this year's elections, despite a court ruling that the redistricting plan intentionally discriminates against Black people.
The state's Republican leadership filed an emergency appeal with the justices a day after a three-judge court refused to let the state use a map it adopted three years ago that has a majority Black population in just one of its seven congressional districts.
The judges instead required Alabama to continue using a court-ordered map that was put in place for the 2024 elections that includes two districts where Black residents comprise a majority or close to it.
—The Associated Press
Equipment being placed on the South Lawn of the White House is seen from the Washington Monument, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Washington. The UFC is holding a mixed martial arts fight on June 14 as part of America 250 celebrations. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
UFC fighting cage rises on White House lawn for bout celebrating America's 250th anniversary
Yet another White House construction project is underway, though this one is meant to be only temporary.
Crews are erecting an octagon-shaped cage on the South Lawn that will host next month's UFC bout, helping mark the nation's 250th anniversary — and President Donald Trump 's 80th birthday.
Online renderings depict what the completed, wire-mesh-fence-ringed fight space is expected to look like ahead of the June 14 event. It will be ringed by a red, white and blue stage under a towering arch featuring stars and stripes patterns and two large screens carrying the action live. The cage and stage will themselves be surrounded by thousands of temporary seats, including ringside space for a full marching band that can set the entire scene to blaring music.
—The Associated Press
Latino support for Trump declines, new UnidosUS poll says
Latinos were among the driving forces behind President Donald Trump’s return to office, but that support is eroding as they struggle with higher prices for gasoline, food, healthcare and housing, according to a new poll. The bipartisan survey released Wednesday by UnidosUS finds more Latino voters disapprove of Trump’s job performance amid growing economic strain and frustration that lawmakers are not responding to their concerns.
The new poll of 3,000 registered Latino voters nationally, conducted April 27 through May 14 of this year, finds 67% now disapprove of the job Trump is doing, with 84% concerned Congress is failing to fulfill its role as a check on his power. A UnidosUS poll conducted in April 2025 found 59% disapproved of the president and how the Republican Party was handling its leadership of Congress.
As it has been for years, the cost of living remains Latino voters’ top concern, according to the poll. Sixty percent of those surveyed said their top priority for elected officials is that they address the cost of basic living expenses such as food and gas. About 40% want to see more action on wages and job creation; 37% on healthcare costs, including premiums and medications; and 27% on housing and electricity costs.
—Spectrum News' Susan Carpenter
More Wednesday reads
• Biden sues Justice Department to stop release of audio and transcripts tied to special counsel probe
• Trump administration to send Americans exposed to Ebola to a new facility in Kenya
• Key Sens. Cruz, Cantwell look to break college sports logjam in Congress with a bipartisan bill
• Trump Accounts app will be available starting Thursday, Bessent says
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