Day 70: Iran's MOU Response Deadline Passes Without Formal Answer; Pakistan Mediation Continues

May 9, 2026 marked Day 70 of the US-Iran war with no formal Iranian response to the one-page peace Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) whose deadline Secretary of State Rubio had set for end-of-day May 8. Iran's Foreign Ministry confirmed Tehran was still reviewing the proposal but 'strongly rejected' some of its terms, per Iranian state media. Rubio, speaking from Rome, said the US was 'expecting a serious offer' from Iran that could put both sides 'into a serious process of negotiation.' The MOU — brokered via Kushner and Witkoff through Pakistan's intermediary channel — would: (1) end the war launched Feb. 28; (2) commit Iran to never seeking a nuclear weapon with a 12-15 year uranium enrichment moratorium; (3) provide for gradual US sanctions lifting and release of frozen Iranian funds; and (4) gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz blockade during a 30-day detailed negotiation period. Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had mocked the process as 'Operation Trust Me Bro failed,' while moderate voices within Tehran's government urged acceptance. Al Jazeera's live blog on May 9 was headlined: 'Iran war live: Israel kills 18 in Lebanon as US expects Iran's reply to deal.' CENTCOM confirmed more than 1,500 vessels with approximately 22,500 mariners remained trapped inside the Persian Gulf; General Dan Caine (Joint Chiefs chair) stated 58 additional commercial vessels had been turned around by CENTCOM enforcing the blockade. A possible oil spill was reported near Iran's Kharg Island terminal. Brent crude remained elevated near $103-109/bbl. Pakistan's FM Ishaq Dar confirmed intermediary contacts remained active. Trump previously warned Iran would face 'one big glow' if no deal was reached. Despite the missed deadline, the ceasefire technically held into Day 70.