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Fact Check: Is Trump considering firing Pete Hegseth and John Ratcliffe for opposing Iran MoU?

US and Iranian officials said Donald Trump and Masoud Pezeshkian signed an MoU halting military operations and paving the way for future nuclear talks

BY SAURAV SURESH

PUBLISHED 1 HOUR AGO

After Donald Trump signed a US-Iran deal, rumors claimed he was considering firing Pete Hegseth and John Ratcliffe for opposing it (AP Photo, Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: After signing a memorandum of understanding outlining terms aimed at ending the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, a rumor began circulating on social media claiming that President Donald Trump is considering firing Pete Hegseth and John Ratcliffe for opposing the deal.

Let us fact-check the viral claim.

Claim: Trump is considering firing Pete Hegseth and John Ratcliffe

The claim, which has been amplified by various accounts, has garnered millions of views (@AFpost/X)

According to the viral rumor, President Trump is considering sacking Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and CIA Director John Ratcliffe for opposing a prospective peace deal with Iran.

The claim has triggered a mixed wave of reactions online. Many users expressed support for the president's alleged decision, while some appeared to back continuing the conflict and called for the destruction of Iran. Others remained skeptical and questioned the authenticity of the claim.

Fact Check: No official reports or announcements from White House

WASHINGTON - MAY 31: The exterior view of the south side of the White House is seen May 31, 2005 in Washington, DC. Vanity Fair Magazine reported that former FBI official W. Mark Felt claimed himself was ?Deep Throat,? the anonymous source who provided information to Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward?s famous Watergate investigation report that led to the former President Richard Nixon's resignation. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) — The exterior view of the south side of the White House is seen May 31, 2005 in Washington, DC (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

According to a report published by Israeli Hebrew newspaper Israel Hayom, Trump is weighing the possibility of firing some senior officials who opposed Washington's deal with Iran, including Hegseth and John Ratcliffe.

"The debate has been settled. Anyone who opposed it could pay a personal price," the source reportedly said.

The report also described tense conversations at the White House last week before the deal was finalized, including a heated argument between Vice President JD Vance and Trump. According to the report, the president ultimately decided to move forward with the memorandum of understanding.

Despite the report, there have been no official statements or announcements from the White House, nor have any major American news outlets independently confirmed the claim. Therefore, the rumor remains unconfirmed.

Trump signs MoU with Iran to halt conflict

U.S. President Donald Trump departs after the dinner at the Palace of Versailles, early Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Versailles, France. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool) — President Donald Trump departs after the dinner at the Palace of Versailles, early Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Versailles, France (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool)

According to US and Iranian officials, Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, June 17.

The agreement establishes an immediate halt to military operations, creates a framework for future nuclear negotiations, and links sanctions relief to Iran's compliance with future commitments.

Trump confirmed the signing while attending the G7 summit in France, while Iranian officials said the agreement had already taken effect.

The framework also calls for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran agreeing to allow the safe passage of commercial vessels without charges for an initial period of 60 days.