Trump Touts Progress In Iran Talks, UFC White House Freedom 250, DNI Nomination

President Trump predicted death and destruction in the morning then talked of peace in the afternoon. The Strait will officially open as soon as we sign, which could be soon, very soon. Iran says it has a degree. Did anything change except the stock market? I'm Leila Fauldin. That's Stephen Skeep, and this is Up First from NPR News. The president once referred to the Iran negotiations as, quote, boring. Other projects capture more of his interest. He talks nonstop about his building projects in Washington. This weekend, he hosts a UFC event on the White House lawn available to people who pay for Paramount plus. Our correspondent reviews what's on Trump's mind judging by what he says. Also, the president nominated a new director of national intelligence, a pick that came too late. Congress was so unhappy with his last pick, it let a major surveillance law expire. Stay with us to get the news you need to start your day. This message is from AT and T with your summer essential, the iPhone 17 Pro. Its center stage front camera auto adjusts the frame to fit everyone into group selfies. Right now at AT and T, ask how you can get iPhone 17 Pro on them with eligible trade in. Requires eligible plan. Terms and restrictions apply subject to change. Visit att.com/iphone for details. Every episode of It's Been a Minute, NPR's What's Happening in Culture podcast starts by asking three questions. Who? How? Why now? If the culture's asking it, we're talking about it. At NPR, we stand for your right to be curious and indulge your cultural curiosity. Follow It's Been a Minute wherever you get your podcasts, and we'll break down the zeitgeisty topics that are filling your feed. Judging by his words, president Trump shifted from one reality to another in the course of a day. The president said Thursday morning that The US was planning new strikes on Iran. By the afternoon, the president talked of a peace deal already agreed to that could be signed, quote, soon. There's no confirmation that either of the president's contradictory claims were true. Iran says it has not agreed yet. This is the latest of the president's many sudden shifts on Iran, which again moved the stock market. NPR international correspondent, Ayah Bhatrawi, has been trying to sort out what, if anything, is really happening. Ayah, good morning. Good morning, Steve. Or I should say good afternoon in The Middle East where you are. Yes. Setting aside the president's words, what has actually happened in the war this week? It's been a week of whiplash attacks that threatened to unravel the entire ceasefire. And that's because this is a tenuous ceasefire that's neither a full piece nor a full blown war, and it can quickly spiral. You know, after Israel bombed Lebanon's capital Beirut on Sunday, we saw Iran firing missiles at Israel in defense of the Iran backed Hezbollah. Then Israel bombed Iran, and even …