Senior members of President Donald Trump's national security team have expressed growing skepticism about Iran's willingness to make the nuclear concessions Washington is seeking, despite the recent approval of a preliminary U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding designed to extend a ceasefire and pave the way for a broader agreement.

According to sources cited by Axios, CIA Director John Ratcliffe told Trump and other senior officials that intelligence collected by multiple U.S. agencies raises significant doubts about whether Tehran intends to follow through on the commitments required under a final nuclear deal.

The concerns emerged during a series of high-level meetings held before Sunday's announcement of the memorandum, which established a framework for 60 days of negotiations between the United States and Iran.

Sources said intelligence assessments indicated that Iranian officials were discussing the agreement internally in ways that differed from the assurances they were providing to mediators and American negotiators.

Based on that intelligence, Ratcliffe and Secretary of State Marco Rubio questioned whether Iran would ultimately agree to the nuclear measures sought by Washington.

"The intelligence suggests that Iran's intentions do not align with its commitments under the agreement," one source familiar with the discussions said.

According to sources familiar with the meetings, Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth both raised questions about the memorandum and its prospects for success. By contrast, Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner were among the administration officials advocating for the agreement.

A White House official said Trump considered a range of viewpoints before making his decision.

"President Trump listens to all opinions on any given issue, but everyone understands that he is the final decision-maker," the official said.

The official defended the memorandum, arguing that it preserves long-standing U.S. red lines by ensuring that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon, cannot retain highly enriched uranium and cannot threaten global energy supplies.

The White House also emphasized that Trump would only approve a final agreement that meets U.S. objectives.

The CIA and State Department declined to comment on the discussions, while the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The memorandum signed Sunday is only an initial framework, and its nuclear provisions depend on the successful negotiation of a more detailed agreement within the next 60 days.

As part of those efforts, Vance, Witkoff and Kushner are expected to meet Friday with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, alongside Qatari and Pakistani mediators, to discuss the next phase of negotiations.

Although the full text of the 14-point memorandum has not yet been released publicly, sources familiar with its contents say the agreement primarily serves as a mechanism to extend the ceasefire and create space for further negotiations.

Under the document, Iran reiterates its previous pledge not to acquire or pursue a nuclear weapon.

The memorandum also commits both sides to resolving the issue of Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium and to discussing future enrichment activities and other nuclear-related matters within a framework to be established during negotiations on a final accord.

While talks continue, Iran would maintain the current status of its nuclear program, and the United States would refrain from imposing additional sanctions or deploying more military forces to the region.

If a final agreement is reached, the United States would withdraw forces deployed during the conflict within 30 days and begin lifting sanctions according to an agreed timetable.

Critics within the administration argue that Iran is unlikely to accept Washington's terms for a final nuclear agreement and that, in the meantime, Tehran could gain more immediate benefits from the memorandum than the United States.

Administration officials reject that assessment.

During a briefing with reporters on Monday, two senior U.S. officials argued that any benefits available to Iran depend entirely on meaningful compliance.

One official said Washington expects to know within two to three weeks whether Tehran is genuinely prepared to make nuclear concessions. If not, negotiations could collapse before Iran receives significant advantages.

Sen. Lindsey Graham also voiced concern about differing interpretations of the agreement.

"I am somewhat concerned that Iran's view of the agreement seems different from what the American negotiating team is claiming," Graham said, while calling for the immediate publication of the full document.

One of the most significant near-term provisions of the memorandum concerns the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy shipping route.

According to sources familiar with the text, Iran has agreed to make its best efforts to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the strait for 60 days without imposing transit charges.

In return, the United States would gradually remove its maritime blockade, with the process expected to be completed within 30 days.

The agreement also calls for Iran to engage in discussions with Oman regarding the future administration and maritime services of the strait. Other Gulf countries would participate in those talks in an effort to establish arrangements consistent with international law and the sovereign rights of regional states.

Iranian state media have reported that transit fees could be considered after the initial 60-day period expires.

Another contentious issue during negotiations involved billions of dollars in Iranian assets frozen abroad.

The memorandum states that the United States will make those funds available for use once the agreement is implemented, but the language leaves considerable room for interpretation.

American officials have described the arrangement as a "pay-for-performance" model under which the release of funds would be tied to Iranian actions.

A senior U.S. official said Washington could authorize the release of some frozen assets if Iran demonstrates positive steps toward compliance.

The memorandum also outlines plans for future discussions on establishing a $300 billion fund intended to support Iran's reconstruction and economic development. According to sources familiar with the agreement, any final accord would include a detailed and mutually agreed mechanism for creating and administering the fund.

Supporters of the deal argue that such long-term economic benefits would only materialize if Iran dismantles key elements of its nuclear program and undertakes substantial domestic reforms.

For now, however, the agreement remains a preliminary framework, and its success will depend on whether Tehran and Washington can bridge deep differences during the negotiations scheduled to unfold over the next two months.