According to a US-based report, CIA Director John Ratcliffe conveyed intelligence findings to Donald Trump indicating that Iran is not prepared to give up its nuclear program in the latest draft agreement. This assessment deepened the disagreement within Trump’s senior team regarding the deal with Iran.
The report noted that in a series of high-level meetings before the agreement, the team was split. On one side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and John Ratcliffe expressed doubts about the deal; on the other side, Vice President J. D. Vance, Trump’s representatives Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff strongly supported the process.
The report claimed that intelligence agencies intercepted internal conversations among Iranian officials, and the statements made in these talks did not align with the promises Tehran made to the US and mediators. Consequently, suspicions about Iran’s intentions increased in Washington.
A White House official stated that Trump listened to all opinions but would make the final decision himself. The same official argued that the agreed framework preserves the US’s red lines, emphasizing that Iran would not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons, hold enriched uranium, or use global energy flows as a pressure tool.
The report also mentioned that Vance, Kushner, and Witkoff planned to meet on Friday with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with Pakistani and Qatari mediators participating. These contacts aim to determine the next phase of the negotiations.
The published information noted that the draft agreement contains 14 articles, though the full text was not shared. The parties are reportedly working on a 60-day negotiation schedule.
According to the draft, Iran commits never to produce nuclear weapons. The future of enriched uranium remains one of the most critical topics in the talks.
During this period, no new sanctions or military actions are to be taken, and Iran is expected not to advance its nuclear program. If a final agreement is reached, the US plans to withdraw its forces and lift sanctions within 30 days.
The report also stated that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is part of the deal. Iran has agreed to allow commercial ships to pass freely and without taxes for 60 days, while the US will lift its naval blockade during the same period.
The release of Iran’s frozen funds is also among the most challenging issues in the agreement. The draft stipulates that if the deal comes into effect, these resources will be gradually released.
The text mentioned a $300 billion fund proposed for Iran’s reconstruction and economic development. However, the US side argues this would only be possible if Iran completely abandons its nuclear program and makes progress in internal reforms.
The report noted that critics of the deal believe Iran will not accept these conditions and will use the process merely to buy time. In contrast, US officials said that Iran’s seriousness will be assessed within the next two to three weeks, and if Iran is not serious, the process will be halted without significant gains.
