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Crews Race to Prevent Chemical Tank Explosion in California; U.S. and Iran Signal Progress in Negotiations to End War; Millions of Americans Hit the Roads as Gas Prices Near All-Time Highs. Aired 7- 7:30a ET

Aired May 25, 2026 - 07:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[07:00:00]

OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking developments overnight in a race against the clock in California, the frantic efforts to prevent a dangerous chemical explosion. Tens of thousands of people already forced from their homes, and now a possible crack could help avoid catastrophe. We'll explain.

Also breaking overnight, Iran says they've reached an understanding with the United States as President Trump speaks out in the last hour, saying the deal will either be great or there will be no deal. So, what are the key sticking points in this latest proposal, and what'll be left out?

And then the emotional tributes pouring in this weekend after the sudden death of NASCAR champion Kyle Busch.

I'm Omar Jimenez. Kate, Sara, and John are out. This is CNN News Central.

All right, as I mentioned, the breaking news this morning, tens of thousands of people are spending this Memorial Day under evacuation orders in Southern California as crews race to prevent a potentially catastrophic explosion. You can see some of the scene behind me there. A state of emergency has been declared in Orange County, where officials have been trying to cool down a massive overheating tank filled with a toxic chemical.

About 50,000 people within the roughly nine square mile potential blast radius, here you see it on this diagram, have been told to leave. Officials fear the tank could explode and send debris flying into homes and businesses or leak and send 7,000 gallons of this volatile chemical into the soil and air.

Now, a crack was discovered on Saturday, but that could actually be a good thing, because, overnight, crews were conducting an operation to determine whether the crack is actually relieving the pressure inside. Orange County's interim fire chief spoke to CNN about it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

T.J. MCGOVERN, INTERIM CHIEF, ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY: We are doing our operation tonight to confirm that the pressure has been released and the BLEVE threat is eliminated.

So, that is our goal tonight because that is a catastrophic worst case scenario that we've all been talking about, that occurrence of a BLEVE. But I want to be clear to everybody, you know, we're not there yet. So, we still got to go through this operation tonight. We have to vet it in the morning and reassure that that cylinder, that tank, is not pressurized.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JIMENEZ: CNN's Veronica Miracle is on scene for us in Cypress Creek, California, this early morning. What is the latest on the ground out there right now?

VERONICA MIRACLE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Omar, we're here at the command post and we're really just waiting to see how this all-night mission is going, and if officials were successful in finding out if the internal pressure inside of that tank has been released. The biggest issue here is if the pressure has not been released, we also know that the temperature gauge at last check has maxed out at 100 degrees, so the possibility of that worst case scenario would still be on the table.

7,000 gallons of MMA, that toxic chemical, could be released into the air. It could create a catastrophic explosion. Buildings and structures in the nearby area could be damaged severely. But if the internal pressure inside has been released, then there's the possibility that the evacuation zone could actually potentially be scaled back, and some of the 50,000 people who have been forced out of their homes this holiday weekend could potentially return home.

We understand that four out of the five evacuation shelters have been maxed out. Some people almost turned away. There have been hotels in the area that have not been available. And so it's been a huge issue for so many people. Here's what one evacuee had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PATRICIA RIVERA, EVACUEE: I'm scared because I don't know what's going to happen and I don't know if anything that already is in the air is going to affect us or if it blows, what's going to happen. You know, that's -- the unknown is really scary.

ROBERT PARMER, EVACUEE: We got an evacuation notice and we had to get out, you know, so we did. I've worked in refineries my entire life, so I know the danger of the chemicals that they're talking about.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MIRACLE: And, Omar, possibly no surprise here, one couple has already filed a lawsuit against G.K. and Aero Space, the company. It's been filed as a class action lawsuit. And we understand from their lawyers that a couple hundred other people are potentially interested in joining.

[07:05:05] The company has sent out a statement. They've apologized. They say they're working around the clock with officials to try and mitigate this crisis. About 800 state and local first responders are here trying to neutralize this threat. Omar?

JIMENEZ: And just a huge operation with the potential to impact so many people.

Veronica Miracle, I really appreciate you being there for us.

Meanwhile, new this morning, Iran's Foreign Ministry says they've reached a, quote, degree of understanding, end quote, with the United States, but stressed that a deal to end the war is not imminent. The Trump administration is also signaling progress on a framework for a peace agreement.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARCO RUBIO, SECRETARY OF STATE: So we have what I think is a pretty solid thing on the table in terms of their ability to open up the straits, get the straits open, enter into a very real, significant time-limited negotiation on the nuclear matters, and hopefully we can pull it off.

It has a lot of support in the Gulf. It has a lot of support globally. Every country that we've walked through it understands it's very -- not just very reasonable, but it's the right thing for the world to get done. As the president said, he's not in a hurry. He's not going to make a bad deal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JIMENEZ: So, both sides are talking about a memorandum of understanding, which would stop the fighting and could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but the two sides still don't seem to agree on key issues.

CNN's Betsy Klein's at the White House. So, Betsy, what's the latest you're hearing here?

BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Well, Omar, there was a lot of activity over the weekend. President Trump working the phones with Gulf leaders as both the U.S. and Iran signaled that there had been progress toward reaching an agreement that could ultimately result in a more lasting deal.

So, what I'm saying there is that there is a deal potentially to make a deal. Both sides are now working toward a memorandum of understanding. That would set a roadmap for more intensive negotiations to begin.

There's a lot that we still don't know about what this is going to include, what has been agreed to. Starting with what we do know, it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, that critical oil thoroughfare. It would gradually end the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. There would be commitments by Iran to not pursue a nuclear weapon. It sets a 60-day clock to reach some of these final agreements, and that includes what Secretary Rubio has described as, quote, a real significant time- limited negotiation on nuclear matters.

President Trump making clear in a post to social media yesterday that he is not in a rush. I want to read to you part of that. He says, quote, the negotiations are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner, and I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal. Both sides, he says, must take their time and get it right. There can be no mistakes.

The president has also repeatedly pushed back on criticism that this deal might not be different from the Obama-era JCPOA Iran nuclear deal. President Trump pulled out of that deal back in 2018. Including in a post this morning, he says that it is not the same. He says it's, quote, the exact opposite.

Now, among the major outstanding sticking points and questions is the Strait of Hormuz, how will it open, how it will operate. What is going to happen to Iran's existing highly enriched uranium, as well as how long Iran is going to agree to a moratorium on that highly enriched uranium?

Now, we're already hearing some pushback from conservative Republicans that this deal would not eliminate the nuclear threat from Iran. But we know that the president is hesitant to resume this conflict, and there's so much political pressure on him as well, with gas prices at $4.50 this weekend a gallon, according to AAA.

Now, according to a senior U.S. official, it could take a few more days to hammer out this memorandum of understanding. We'll be watching that very closely. Omar?

JIMENEZ: A lot of questions still even as they say there is some progress. But as you point out, it's progress to get to a place where progress can be made. Betsy Klein, we will see. Good to see you.

Meanwhile, we're learning new details about the suspect in a shooting outside the White House. The man opening fire on Secret Service officers. A bystander was hit in the crossfire. We'll tell you what we're learning this morning.

And a record number of people, tens of millions, are hitting the road today for this Memorial Day holiday. From the highways to the skies, we are tracking it all next.

And then Pope Leo speaking out this morning on the dangers of artificial intelligence. We'll tell you how he's using a 400-year-old tradition to lay out his vision for the future.

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[07:10:00]

JIMENEZ: Surging gas prices, I know you've seen them, but it hasn't slowed down millions of Americans traveling for the Memorial Day holiday, breaking travel records for this unofficial start to summer. For example, AAA projects a record 45 million Americans are traveling at least 50 miles from home for the holiday, nearly 4 million expected to fly to their destinations, and then 39 million filling up their cars and hitting the road, bringing the price of gas into hyper focus, where the national average price, as you can see, sits at $4.50 per gallon, the highest, by the way, it's been in four years.

I want to bring in CNN aviation correspondent Pete Muntean, who's live at his second home, Reagan National Airport, this morning.

Pete, always good to see you out there, but could be a tough day for drivers. How are things looking for those flying?

[07:15:00]

PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: The good news is that it's been a huge weekend for air travel, Omar, and things have remained relatively steady even though there have been huge numbers, and people are still traveling in big numbers in spite of the fact that compared to last year, ticket prices for a Memorial Day weekend domestic trip are up about 20 percent.

Here's a live look at the Terminal 2 North checkpoint here at Reagan National Airport, taking people a little bit of time to get through general security screening right now, between 9 and 12 minutes. As the day goes on, things may get a little bit better here. We're at the morning rush right now.

The big question now is whether or not the system can hold together. We saw 2.78 million people on the forecast for today going into this big Memorial Day rush as so many people come home. 2.98 million people passed through airport security checkpoints on Friday. That number is only 5 percent off from the all-time air travel record.

Take a look at the departures board here at Reagan National Airport. So far, so good, not a lot of yellow, not a lot of red yet. But the Federal Aviation Administration Command Center in Warrenton, Virginia, warning of delays at some major hubs, like Atlanta, SFO, New York, some of the most delay sensitive airspace in the country, and then here in D.C. because of Memorial Day flyovers, also because of thunderstorms and low cloud ceilings in the forecast.

The good news is that things have remained relatively steady. Yesterday, we saw about 400 cancelations nationwide. Just checked FlightAware, only about 100 cancelations starting the day, this is way lower than what we have seen during some huge holiday rushes for other holidays. So, so far, things are moving pretty good as all of these people try to come home pretty much all at once. Omar?

JIMENEZ: I like talking to you when there's actually good news coming out of the airport. Not always the case but seeing no real delays and lower cancellations is a good thing as people head back.

Pete Muntean, I appreciate the reporting, as always.

All right, just ahead, the urgent search and rescue efforts after a deadly building collapse. We'll have new details on what was happening right before it fell.

And then tomorrow we're going to find out the Team USA roster for next month's World Cup. And we're hearing from one of the stars of the team as the tournament returns to U.S. soil for the first time in decades.

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[07:20:00]

JIMENEZ: The NASCAR world is honoring the life and legacy of racing icon Kyle Busch. He died at 41 after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis. And our Coy Wire has more on the touching tribute at yesterday's Coca-Cola 600 just outside of Charlotte here.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Hi, Omar. Yes, Kyle Busch was supposed to race yesterday. Instead, the race transformed from a sporting event into a memorial with nearly 95,000 fans saying goodbye to one of the fiercest competitors the sport has ever known.

Before the race, emotions overflowing for his wife, Samantha, son, Brexton, daughter, Lennox, parents, Tom and Gay, and brother, Kurt Busch, standing in the infield. Samantha clung to Brexton who wore dad's trademark number eight hat. Behind them, every driver lined up in silence. NASCAR is a family. Star driver Kyle Larson's son, Owen, showing that he's there for Brexton.

For fans remembering how Busch drove like every lap was his last lap, it was a moment that hit like a pileup to the heart. And fittingly, a race filled with chaos, 12 cautions over nearly 5 grueling hours ended with one of Busch's proteges, Daniel Suarez, taking the checkered flag. He dedicated the win to the man who helped pave his road to NASCAR.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANIEL SUAREZ, COCA-COLA 600 WINNER: It's been a very tough week. You know, Kyle, he was a special man.

We won it for Kyle, for Kyle, for Samantha, for Brexton, for Lennox, for all his family.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: All right. Let's go to the NBA. The Western Conference Finals game four, the Spurs held Oklahoma City to its second lowest post- season total of the season. Victor Wembanyama, 33 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks, and just before halftime, a half-court buzzer beater that dropped cleaner than a mic drop at a comedy club.

At 7'5", he's basically a skyscraper- scraper with a jump shot, and the only thing apparently that he can't do is fit comfortably into an airplane seat. San Antonio cruises 103-82 to even this series at two apiece.

All right, Tennis's second major of the year, the French Open, began Sunday in Paris. Novak Djokovic got off to a winning start, but American Taylor Fritz, the seventh seed, suffered an early exit from Roland Garros, losing to 148th-ranked compatriot, Nishesh Basavareddy. The match featured three tie-breaks before Nishesh closed it out in four. The men's favorite, Jannik Sinner, begins his campaign Tuesday.

Now, a historic and dramatic finish at the 110th Indianapolis 500, closest finish ever, Omar. After a record-breaking 70 lead changes, it all came down to the final lap, Felix Rosenqvist beating David Malukas by just 200ths of a second. That's after 500 miles of racing, Omar.

[07:25:00]

The last time a race came anywhere close to being this tight at the finish was way back in 1992.

For Rosenqvist, who just welcomed a child earlier this month, you can see that all those sleepless nights, Omar, apparently have no problem with him. It didn't slow him down one bit as he got that great win and a cold glass of milk at the end.

JIMENEZ: Yes. Hey what do you want more after a race like that? Just a cold glass of milk all over you. It feels good though, if you got that 0.02 seconds after those hundreds of miles.

Coy Wire, good to see you.

WIRE: You too.

JIMENEZ: All right. Meanwhile, we are learning brand new details about the suspect who opened fire on Secret Service agents outside the White House. We'll tell you what police are saying this morning.

And then overnight, Russia launches one of the largest attacks on Ukraine since the war began using a new hypersonic ballistic missile to strike Kyiv. We'll bring you the details coming up.

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