Day 69: Rubio Says US Expects Iran's Formal Response 'Today' on One-Page Peace MOU; Iran Still Reviewing

On May 8, 2026 (Day 69 of the US-Iran war), Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in Rome that the United States expected Iran's formal response 'today' to a one-page Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that could end the war. The proposed MOU was negotiated via Pakistan as intermediary — with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on the US side — and contained the following key terms: Iran commits to a permanent moratorium on nuclear weapons development and halts uranium enrichment for a minimum of 12 years (Iran proposed 5 years, the US demanded 20, with 15 years cited as the likely landing spot); Iran hands over its approximately 440 kg stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity; the US lifts economic sanctions and releases billions in frozen Iranian assets; both sides lift all restrictions on Hormuz strait transit; and the deal would open a 30-day window for detailed negotiations on a permanent framework. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that Iran 'has not yet reached a conclusion, and no response has been given to the US side,' confirming the country was still reviewing messages relayed through Pakistan. Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf struck a sardonic tone on social media, writing that 'Operation Trust Me Bro failed,' highlighting deep skepticism in Tehran about US sincerity. Pakistan's FM Ishaq Dar expressed hope the US-Iran ceasefire 'can be turned into permanent peace,' confirming Pakistani intermediaries remained in direct contact with both sides. The Hill and CNN reported the two sides were 'closing in' on an agreement. The US naval blockade of Iranian ports remained active with 31 Iranian tankers (~53 million barrels) still blocked, while 22,500 mariners were trapped on 1,550+ commercial vessels in and around the strait.