WASHINGTON: US intelligence has raised serious doubts among US President Donald Trump’s team over Iran’s willingness to make nuclear concessions in any final agreement, Axios reported, as mediators prepare to join the next phase of negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
According to Axios’ Barak Ravid, CIA Director John Ratcliffe informed Trump and senior officials that evidence collected by US intelligence agencies raised concerns about Iran’s intentions. Vice President JD Vance, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to meet Iranian officials on Friday, along with Pakistani and Qatari mediators, to discuss the next phase of talks.
The report said Trump and his advisers held several high-level meetings before Sunday’s announcement, during which they reviewed intelligence gathered by multiple US agencies.
It added that the intelligence indicated Iranian officials’ internal discussions about the agreement did not match the messages they were conveying to mediators and Washington.
“The intelligence reflects that the Iranian intentions are not in line with their commitments under the deal,” a source told Axios.
A White House official told Axios that Trump considers all viewpoints but remains the final decision-maker. The official said the memorandum of understanding (MOU) meets the administration’s red lines by aiming to ensure Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon, retain highly enriched uranium or use global energy supplies as leverage.
The nuclear aspects of the MOU depend on the parties reaching a more detailed nuclear agreement within the next 60 days.
Axios reported that Vance, Witkoff and Kushner are scheduled to meet Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday, alongside Pakistani and Qatari mediators, to discuss the next stage of negotiations.
The report said the complete text of the 14-point initial agreement has not been made public.
The agreement is intended to extend the ceasefire and begin 60 days of negotiations, which can be extended with mutual approval. During this period, Iran is expected to reaffirm its previous commitment never to acquire or develop a nuclear weapon.
A source familiar with the agreement’s details told Axios that the US and Iran would attempt to resolve issues related to Iran’s stockpiles of enriched material and discuss future uranium enrichment and other matters linked to Tehran’s nuclear requirements, based on a framework to be finalised in a future agreement.
The report said Iran would maintain the current status of its nuclear programme during negotiations, while the US would refrain from imposing additional sanctions or sending more forces to the region.
Axios reported that if a final nuclear agreement is reached, the US would withdraw forces deployed for the war within 30 days and end sanctions against Iran according to an agreed timeline, citing a source familiar with the text.
Internal critics of the deal believe Iran is unlikely to accept a nuclear agreement based on US terms and could gain more benefits than Washington from the MOU during the interim period.
However, senior US officials told reporters on Monday that any advantages for Iran would depend on Tehran taking meaningful steps. One official said Washington would determine within two to three weeks whether Iran was serious about making nuclear concessions.
Senator Lindsey Graham told Axios that he was concerned Iran’s understanding of the agreement appeared different from the description given by the US negotiating team, and he called for the immediate release of the document.
The MOU also calls for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in the near term, with Iran using its best efforts to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels without charges for 60 days, while the US gradually lifts its blockade within 30 days.
The report added that the release of Iran’s frozen funds remains one of the most disputed issues, with US officials describing the process as a “pay for performance” model.
Axios further reported that any final agreement would include a plan for a $300 billion fund aimed at Iran’s reconstruction and economic development, along with a mechanism for implementing the plan.