Trump Says Iran Agreed to Never Get Nuclear Arms as CIA Chief Expresses Doubts

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday morning that Iran had agreed it would never possess nuclear weapons, even as a new Axios report said CIA Director John Ratcliffe warned him there was a “strong doubt” Iran would meet U.S. nuclear demands. According to three sources cited by the outlet, the warning was based on evidence gathered by U.S. intelligence agencies.

The report said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also had similar concerns about the credibility of Iranian assurances. That view contrasted with support for the emerging deal from Vice President J.D. Vance, Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

In an interview with Fox News, Vance said, “The agreement neutralizes the Iranian nuclear threat, and that is good for Israel.” He also said the United States has “never had such a level of direct communication with Tehran.”

Vance added that if the deal works, it could bring stability and peace to the region, but stressed that its success still depends on the Iranians.