Iran FM Baghaei: Tehran 'Reviewing' Latest US Response — 'Reduced the Gaps to Some Extent'; Bloomberg: Offer Has 'Narrowed the Gaps' — Day 83

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed on May 21, 2026 (Day 83) that Tehran had received the latest US response to its peace proposal and was formally reviewing it, characterizing the US communication as having 'reduced the gaps to some extent' (reported by ISNA news agency). Bloomberg separately reported that Iran said Trump's latest offer has 'narrowed the gaps,' citing Iranian officials reviewing the document in a formal interagency process. The dual-track confirmation from both the Foreign Ministry spokesman and the Bloomberg sourcing represents the most positive public Iranian signal on the MOU framework since peace talks began in April. The language is carefully calibrated — 'reduced' and 'narrowed' signal movement without commitments, preserving Iranian flexibility while giving diplomatic space to both sides. Al Jazeera's Day 83 liveblog headline read: 'Iran war live: Tehran reviews US peace proposal as fear of war rises' — capturing the paradox of simultaneous diplomatic progress and military threat. The proposed US-Iran MOU framework under review covers: a formal declaration ending the state of war; freedom of Hormuz transit for commercial vessels; a nuclear enrichment moratorium (duration still contested: Iran proposed 5 years, US demanded 20 years, reports suggest ~10–12 year convergence range); enhanced IAEA snap inspections; commitment to no underground nuclear facilities; and phased sanctions relief tied to compliance milestones. The US has not confirmed what modifications, if any, were made in the latest communication to Tehran.