Trump Says No Talks With Iran Under Way Or Scheduled

ISTANBUL, Aug 19 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that no talks with Iran were under way or planned, adding that the Strait of Hormuz remained open under Washington's naval blockade, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

"There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

"The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect. The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated," he added.

Citing a US official, CNN reported Tuesday that Trump told top administration envoys to halt their conversations with Iran.

White House officials have recently communicated to political allies that they are shifting their strategy — going from “hammer Iran ASAP” to “strangle them” over time, according to a source familiar with the matter, CNN reported.

According to the report, officials said that Trump’s instruction to his negotiating team -- Vice President JD Vance and envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner -- not to engage with Tehran came after some “positive discussions” with the country.

Kushner was in Israel on Monday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss regional issues, including the Gaza Strip.

Following the meeting, he told Fox News that communications between the US and Iran are "more robust" than ever.

Tehran and Washington agreed to a ceasefire in April and later signed a memorandum of understanding in June aimed at ending their military conflict and reaching a lasting peace agreement.

The deal collapsed last month, however, with Iran and the US exchanging attacks for nearly two weeks before Trump abruptly halted the bombardment amid efforts to revive the agreement.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU