The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle Is Trump running out of options to end his so-called "excursion" in Iran?
May 12, 2026
A rapid-fire breakdown of U.S. options after clashes with Iran and whether combat has truly ceased. Military planners weigh raids, island seizures, and the limits of escalation. The Supreme Court's redistricting rulings and their impact on Southern voting maps get sharp attention. Rising gas prices spark talk of a federal gas tax pause and its real economic effects.
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Strait Disruption Risks Global Food Shortages
- Disruption of the Strait of Hormuz risks a humanitarian crisis by blocking fertilizer shipments, threatening food security for tens of millions in Asia and Africa.
- A U.N. official warned 45 million people could face starvation if shipments don't resume.
Gas Tax Holiday Won't Fix Prices
- Suspending the 18 cent federal gas tax would have minimal impact compared with the $1.50+ spike caused by the conflict.
- Lawmakers should consider deeper actions than symbolic tax holidays to address supply shocks and affordability before midterms.
Beijing Trip Aimed At Optics Not Certainty
- Trump postponed his China trip hoping the Iran war would be resolved and aims to use a high-profile CEO delegation to manufacture a big economic headline.
- Peter Baker doubts substantive concessions from China given U.S. distraction and China's leverage.