Summary
- John Ratcliffe, director of the US Central Intelligence Agency, said intelligence agencies have serious doubts that Iran is willing to accept measures to scale back its nuclear program.
- Ratcliffe and Secretary of State Marco Rubio believe Iran is unlikely to accept steps on handling nuclear material and restricting its enrichment program, according to the report.
- The US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) calls for a 60-day ceasefire while the sides discuss a final nuclear agreement, but intelligence officials are wary that Iran could gain economic benefits without making key concessions.
Forecast Trend Report by Period
CIA Director John Ratcliffe has raised concerns that Iran will not accept US demands to scale back its nuclear program.
Axios reported on June 15 that Ratcliffe recently told President Donald Trump and senior aides that US intelligence has serious doubts about Tehran's willingness to negotiate over its nuclear program.
US intelligence agencies reached that assessment after analyzing internal discussions among Iranian officials, according to multiple sources. They found a wide gap between the position Iran conveyed to mediators and the US side and its actual internal thinking.
Ratcliffe and Secretary of State Marco Rubio also believe Iran is unlikely to accept US demands on the disposition of nuclear material and limits on its enrichment program in a final nuclear agreement, the report said.
"Intelligence officials believe Iran's actual intentions do not align with the terms currently under discussion," one source said.
The proposed peace deal has also exposed divisions within the Trump administration. Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have voiced concerns about the draft, while Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and former White House senior adviser Jared Kushner support the agreement.
The memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran calls for maintaining a ceasefire for 60 days while the sides discuss a final nuclear agreement. Intelligence officials and some aides, however, are wary that Iran could secure economic benefits during the talks without making key concessions.
Suehyeon Lee
shlee@bloomingbit.ioI'm reporter Suehyeon Lee, your Web3 Moderator.
