Behind the U.S.–Iran Agreement: Heated Discussions, Skepticism, and Pressure

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New details about the final hours before the agreement between the United States and Iran reveal intelligence-related doubts raised during intense discussions, as well as expectations of continued pressure on Tehran.

According to three sources familiar with the discussions, cited by Axios, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe informed President Donald Trump and other senior officials that intelligence gathered by U.S. agencies raised serious doubts about Iran’s willingness to make the nuclear concessions required under any final agreement.

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Ratcliffe was not the only skeptic within Trump’s senior team. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also expressed concerns during internal deliberations and questioned several aspects of the memorandum of understanding announced on Sunday.

In contrast, Vice President J.D. Vance and U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner defended the agreement, according to two sources.

Axios reported that a series of high-level meetings on the agreement took place between Trump and his advisers before Sunday’s announcement.

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During those meetings, Trump and his team reviewed intelligence collected by several U.S. agencies. According to two sources, the intelligence suggested that the way Iranian officials discussed the agreement among themselves differed significantly from what they were telling mediators and American representatives.

Based on that intelligence, Ratcliffe and Rubio reportedly expressed doubts that Iran would ultimately agree to the nuclear measures sought by Washington.

One source stated: “The intelligence indicates that Iran’s intentions do not align with its commitments under the agreement.”

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Trump Makes the Final Decision

Commenting on the discussions, a White House official settled the issue by stating: “President Trump listens to every viewpoint on any given issue, but everyone understands that he is the final decision-maker.”

The official added: “This memorandum of understanding satisfies all of the administration’s longstanding red lines by ensuring that Iran can never acquire a nuclear weapon, cannot retain highly enriched uranium, and cannot use global energy supplies as leverage.”

He further stressed that Trump would approve only a “good” final agreement.

The nuclear provisions of the memorandum signed on Sunday depend on reaching a more detailed nuclear agreement within the next sixty days.

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The arrangement is intended to extend the ceasefire and launch a sixty-day negotiation period, which may be extended by mutual consent.

As part of those talks, Iran reiterates its longstanding commitment never to obtain a nuclear weapon.

Another source told Axios that the memorandum states that the United States and Iran commit themselves to “resolving the issue of disposing of enriched material stockpiles” and to “discussing the future of enrichment and other mutually agreed issues related to Iran’s nuclear needs based on a satisfactory framework to be defined in the final agreement.”

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The memorandum also stipulates that Iran will maintain the status quo regarding its nuclear program for the duration of the negotiations. In return, the United States will refrain from imposing new sanctions or deploying additional forces to the region.

If a final nuclear agreement is reached, the United States will, within thirty days, withdraw the forces mobilized for the war and lift all sanctions imposed on Iran according to an agreed timetable, according to the source’s description of the memorandum.

“Pay for Performance”

Two senior U.S. officials told reporters on Monday that any benefits granted to Iran would depend entirely on concrete actions taken by Tehran.

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One senior official stated that the United States would know within two to three weeks whether Iran was serious about making nuclear concessions. If not, the process could collapse without Iran gaining any significant advantages.

The release of frozen Iranian funds and assets remains one of the most controversial issues in the negotiations.

The memorandum leaves considerable room for interpretation, stating that the United States “commits to making the funds fully available for use immediately upon implementation of the memorandum of understanding,” according to a source familiar with the document.

U.S. officials say the guiding principle will be “pay for performance.”

A senior American official told journalists that if the United States sees positive “gestures” from Iran, it may release a portion of the frozen funds in return.

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