New intelligence assessments have raised serious concerns inside the Trump administration about whether Iran genuinely intends to follow through on the nuclear-related commitments sought by the United States, according to an Axios report published Monday. The concerns were reportedly conveyed by CIA Director John Ratcliffe during briefings with President Donald Trump and senior administration officials.
According to three individuals familiar with the discussions, intercepted Iranian communications suggest a significant gap between what Iranian leaders are privately saying and the assurances they are providing to international intermediaries and American negotiators. The sources said the private conversations paint a very different picture from Tehran’s public diplomatic posture.
The intelligence findings have reportedly deepened divisions among Trump’s top advisers. Axios reported that Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth have become leading voices expressing skepticism about the prospects for a successful agreement.
On the other side of the debate, Vice President JD Vance and special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have continued to strongly support the framework and its potential to produce a broader agreement.
“The intelligence reflects that the Iranian intentions are not in line with their commitments under the deal,” one source told Axios.
Responding to reports of disagreements within the administration, a White House official stressed that President Trump remains firmly in charge of the decision-making process.
“President Trump listens to all opinions on any given issue – but everyone understands he is the final decision-maker,” the official stated to Axios.
The same official defended the memorandum, arguing that it satisfies the key conditions the administration has consistently demanded from Iran.
“This MOU meets all of the redlines that the administration has long articulated by ensuring that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon, they cannot keep their highly enriched uranium, and they cannot hold the world’s energy supply hostage,” the official said, adding that Trump would only agree to a “good” final agreement.
Neither the State Department nor the CIA commented publicly on the report. The Pentagon also declined to respond.
At the center of the debate is the memorandum’s treatment of nuclear issues. Under the arrangement, the nuclear provisions are temporary and dependent upon the successful completion of a far more detailed agreement that negotiators hope to finalize during a 60-day period of talks.
As part of that effort, Vance, Witkoff, and Kushner are expected to travel on Friday for meetings with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, and mediators from Pakistan and Qatar to continue negotiations on a permanent accord.
Opponents of the framework argue that the lack of public disclosure surrounding the full 14-point agreement could allow Iran to secure major benefits before proving it is willing to meet Washington’s long-term demands.
Sources familiar with the draft say one provision requires the United States to lift its naval blockade within 30 days. In exchange, “Iran will make arrangements, using its best efforts, for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days.” After that period, Iran is expected to begin discussions with Oman and other Gulf states regarding the future governance of the waterway, “in line with applicable international law and sovereign rights” of regional countries.
Meanwhile, Iranian state-controlled media have suggested that transit fees could be imposed once the initial 60-day period comes to an end, raising additional questions about the future operation of one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
{Matzav.com}
