Trump takes Iran hard line as Hormuz tensions mark new normal

US President Donald Trump insisted that there were no talks ongoing with Iran on Aug 18, leaving the simmering conflict in the Middle East and control of the Strait of Hormuz stuck in limbo.The memorandum of understanding that the US and Iran signed in June in an effort to buy time to negotiate a lasting peace deal – as repeatedly violated as it had been during that 60-day window – has expired. There are no plans to extend it.“There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump posted on his social media platform.That leaves the status of the Strait of Hormuz in doubt, with both the US and Iran at odds about how it should be managed, little traffic flowing through the critical waterway in the meantime and no sign of any imminent resolution.