On August 18, President Trump stated via Truth Social that no talks with Iran are occurring or scheduled, that a naval blockade remains active, that the Strait of Hormuz is open, and that all mines have been cleared. Iranian negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf responded that the Strait would stay closed until the U.S. lifts its blockade, oil sanctions, releases frozen assets, and ends military threats. A ship exiting the Strait was attacked, and earlier negotiations reportedly collapsed weeks after a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding.