The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), John Ratcliffe, has reportedly expressed serious doubts about a proposed agreement with Iran, warning that Tehran may not be willing to fully comply with key nuclear concessions, according to a media report.
Citing sources familiar with internal discussions, Axios reported that Ratcliffe raised concerns directly with US President Donald Trump ahead of the US–Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which has been the subject of high-level negotiations within the administration.
According to the report, Ratcliffe was not alone in raising concerns. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also questioned aspects of the proposed agreement during internal meetings.
They reportedly cited intelligence suggesting that Iranian officials were discussing the deal internally in ways that did not match their commitments made to mediators.
At the same time, Vice President JD Vance, along with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, were said to have supported the agreement, arguing it could serve broader regional stability goals.
Intelligence concerns raised
The intelligence reviewed by US agencies allegedly indicated inconsistencies between Iran’s public assurances and internal discussions.
One source told Axios that Iranian intentions appeared “not in line with their commitments under the deal,” raising questions about the feasibility of enforcement and verification mechanisms.
Officials reportedly debated whether Iran would agree to the nuclear restrictions demanded by Washington, including limits on enriched uranium and long-term monitoring measures.
White House response
A White House official defended the ongoing negotiations, saying the president considers all viewpoints but remains the final decision-maker.
The official stated that the proposed agreement “meets all red lines” set by the administration, including ensuring Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon or retain highly enriched uranium.
They added that the deal is also intended to prevent disruption to global energy markets.
The report highlights continued uncertainty surrounding the US–Iran diplomatic process, with internal divisions reflecting broader challenges in reaching a verified and enforceable agreement.
Despite concerns, officials involved in the talks have indicated that discussions remain ongoing at senior levels.
