CIA Director John Ratcliffe has told President Trump and other senior officials that intelligence gathered by US agencies has raised serious doubts about Iran's willingness to make the nuclear concessions the US is seeking in any final deal, according to sources familiar with those discussions.
Ratcliffe is not alone in his skepticism within Trump's top team. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have both expressed concerns and raised questions about the deal in internal discussions, according to two sources. The divided views among senior officials reflect broader uncertainty about Iran's intentions as the two countries prepare for 60 days of nuclear negotiations.
The skepticism comes as the administration moves forward with a memorandum of understanding signed digitally over the weekend. Senior US officials told reporters that the MOU is only the initial step toward a broader agreement. The agreement between the US and Iran is intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and kick-start the 60-day negotiation period, with the deal set to be signed in person on Friday.
In contrast to the concerns raised by Ratcliffe, Rubio, and Hegseth, Vice President Vance and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have advocated for the deal, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The skepticism about Iran's nuclear intentions carries significant weight given recent diplomatic history. Previous nuclear negotiations have been complicated by misunderstandings about Iran's nuclear program, including disagreements over technical aspects and the scope of Iran's planned nuclear activities.
The ongoing negotiations represent an attempt to resolve a conflict that began on February 28 and disrupted energy production and transportation across the Middle East. Oil prices jumped when the fighting began, and the new agreement aims to stabilize global energy markets by reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
This is not the first time US officials have had to navigate nuclear discussions with Iran. The Obama administration previously conducted extensive nuclear negotiations, sending 10 senior officials from four different departments to talks in Vienna in 2009. Those negotiations stretched over three 24-hour days, with negotiators in constant touch with Washington to check details of the proposed deal.
The Trump administration's current negotiating team appears leaner. Sources indicate that the talks leading up to the current MOU involved limited technical expertise and support compared to previous diplomatic efforts.
The next 60 days will be crucial for determining whether the two countries can reach a comprehensive nuclear agreement. The internal divisions among US officials suggest that reaching consensus on Iran's nuclear program will require navigating significant disagreements about Iran's reliability as a negotiating partner and the likelihood of achieving US objectives.