Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday by announcing a peace deal with Iran and hosting a mixed martial arts event at the White House. The agreement with Tehran was revealed just before the start of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event on Sunday. Following the event, Trump was set to attend a meeting with G7 leaders in France, where the Iranian settlement was anticipated to be a key topic.
Before the UFC event, Trump and UFC President Dana White walked from the Oval Office to the White House balcony to view the cage-fighting arena known as “The Claw” on the South Lawn. The event featured seven bouts and was attended by notable figures like Tyson Fury and Mark Zuckerberg. Despite UFC covering the costs, various agencies provided significant resources for the event.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump supporter, expressed skepticism about the Iran deal, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent praised Trump for achieving a historic peace deal. The agreement included reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz for mine removal. Plans for a defensive operation to protect shipping in the channel post-conflict were led by Britain and France.
Although the deal addressed reopening the Strait of Hormuz, concerns remained regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Vice President JD Vance hinted at Trump’s potential presence at the signing ceremony. The event drew thousands of spectators, including those watching on a big screen near the White House.
