The US and Iran have returned to the brink of conflict after an exchange of strikes on July 7, just three weeks after the two sides had signed a framework deal to end their hostilities. In comments made ahead of the Nato summit in Turkey, Donald Trump declared the ceasefire “over” and added that further talks would be “a waste of time”. This development will be welcomed by some members of the Iranian political system who have resisted the agreement. The vice-chairman of the Iranian parliament’s