US President Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday with a historic Iran peace deal and a star-studded UFC event at the White House, marking America's 250th anniversary of independencePaige Ingram and Nick Lester Press Association US Editor in Washington DC05:01, 15 Jun 2026Donald Trump marked his 80th birthday with an Iran peace agreement and a mixed martial arts spectacle at the White House.‌The US president unveiled the accord with Tehran mere hours before Sunday's Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event kicked off, staged despite thunderstorm alerts across Washington DC.‌Directly after the card concluded, Mr Trump was scheduled to depart for a gathering of G7 leaders representing major democracies in Evian, France, where the Iranian settlement ending the four-month conflict was expected to take centre stage, though comprehensive details remained forthcoming.‌In the lead-up to the cage-fighting spectacular celebrating America's 250th independence anniversary, the president and UFC boss Dana White strolled together from the Oval Office to the White House balcony overlooking the enormous open-sided structure, dubbed "The Claw", positioned on the South Lawn.‌The national anthem then rang out as fighter jets roared overhead in formation, prompting roars from spectators and chants of "USA, USA".Mr Trump subsequently settled into his seat near the iconic octagon cage, where seven bouts were scheduled. Amongst the 4,000 attendees at the purpose-built venue was British heavyweight boxing star Tyson Fury, sporting a Donald Trump for prime minister baseball hat.Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg was also observed chatting with the president during a break in the action. Also seated ringside were FBI director Kash Patel, acting US attorney general Todd Blanche and Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson.‌Tens of thousands more watched the Freedom 250 bouts on a big screen in a park near the White House, with some having travelled from across the country for the spectacle.This created some rather incongruous scenes, with fighters pictured warming up amid the formal surroundings of the White House.‌While the administration stated that the UFC would be footing the 60 million dollar (£45 million) bill, official documents reveal that seven agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration, had "allocated significant resources and manpower" to the contentious event, which faced an unsuccessful legal challenge.Among those in the UFC crowd was Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch Trump ally who has adopted a tough stance towards Iran.He expressed scepticism over the emerging deal with Tehran, which would bring hostilities to an end, lift the US blockade and reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, while leaving Iran's disputed nuclear ambitions to future negotiations.‌Mr Graham wrote on X: "I am pleased to hear the memorandum of understanding with Iran to allow the Strait of Hormuz to open has been agreed to. I will be watching closely the ensuing negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program and other matters. I am somewhat concerned that Iran's view of the agreement seems different than what the American negotiating team is claiming."He said he looked forward "to reviewing the final product", adding that "time will tell".US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was far more upbeat, arguing that Mr Trump "continues to make the world safer, today reaching a historic peace deal with Iran". In a post on X, he said: "His leadership, along with his direct engagement with allies and adversaries alike, will be recorded in history books for centuries to come."‌Earlier, as he confirmed the agreement with Iran had been finalised, Mr Trump declared "let the oil flow". He indicated the Strait of Hormuz would reopen "for purposes of mine removal" following the signing of the deal with Iran in Switzerland on Friday.Bringing an end to Iran's grip on the vital waterway — which has severely disrupted global oil and gas supplies while pushing up fuel and food prices — had been a central demand throughout negotiations.Article continues belowBritain and France have been spearheading plans for a defensive operation to safeguard shipping in the channel once hostilities cease, including the deployment of autonomous mine-hunting technology.Nevertheless, the deal leaves unresolved Tehran's nuclear ambitions, which it maintains are peaceful, but which the US and Israel fear could be exploited to develop a weapon, given its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance revealed to Fox News that "it's possible" Mr Trump could be present at Friday's signing ceremony, though logistical details were still being finalised.