Even key members of Donald Trump’s administration have cast doubt over his peace deal with Iran and think Tehran won’t stick to its side of the bargain, according to a new report.
On Sunday, the president ceremoniously announced that a deal with the Islamic Republic had been reached and that the beleaguered Strait of Hormuz would be re-opened. “Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” he wrote in a Truth Social post on his 80th birthday.
Despite the announcement, a report suggests that some the closest members of Trump’s top team, including secretary of state Marco Rubio, hawkish defense secretary Pete Hegseth and CIA director John Ratcliffe, have expressed concerns about the arrangement.
Two sources familiar with the discussions told Axios that Rubio and Hegseth had raised questions about the memorandum of understanding shared on Sunday, without going into their specific concerns.
Early reports on the provisional deal suggest Iran has agreed to never develop nuclear weapons, maintain its ongoing programme at the current restricted level, prevent further enrichment of uranium and stop the expansion of its nuclear facilities.
However, CIA director John Ratcliffe has gathered evidence by U.S. intelligence officials that casts doubts about Iran’s willingness to make the nuclear concessions, according to Axios.
Ratcliffe is said to have presented the findings to Trump and other senior officials, according to three sources familiar with the discussions.
“The intelligence reflects that the Iranian intentions are not in line with their commitments under the deal,” one source said.
Another source said that Iran’s true intentions would be revealed over the forthcoming two to three weeks as discussions progressed more intensively.
“President Trump listens to all opinions on any given issue — but everyone understands he is the final decision-maker,” a White House official said in response to the reports.
“This MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) 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,” they added, explaining that Trump would only finalise a “good” deal.
Other reported elements of the deal include unfettered toll-free access for commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a cessation of all Israeli military action in Lebanon, and a relief from economic sanctions.
In a joint statement released on Monday, Britain, Germany, France and Italy said they would be prepared to lift sanctions on Iran in response to "clear, verifiable steps" to limit its nuclear program.
Trump has recently expressed fatigue and boredom at the ongoing conflict and appears to be pushing for it to end.
The deal does have its backers within cabinet, with Vice President JD Vance and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said to have advocated for it, according to two Axios sources.
But divisions over the conflict within Trump’s inner circle are not new and have persisted since the very start of the outbreak of the war at the end of February.
Rubio and Hegseth were reportedly “at each other's throats” while discussing whether or not the U.S. should send troops to Iran at the request of Israel, sources told the Middle East Eye in March.
