The title from an article in The Economist's daily briefing.
"On Wednesday Donald Trump said he was in “no hurry” to reach an agreement that ends his war in Iran. Make of that what you will. The day before America’s president said that Iran had just “two or three days” to cut a deal before he started bombing the country again. On Monday he threatened strikes before pulling back, claiming that Gulf states had begged him to hold fire.
The war seems stuck in a loop: Mr Trump makes a threat, backs down, and then insists vague progress has been made in negotiations. He has faced the same diplomatic dilemma for weeks. Iran is willing to make a preliminary deal that reopens the Strait of Hormuz. But to avoid embarrassment, America is seeking more concessions on Iran’s nuclear programme than Iran has so far been willing to give. Negotiators are trying to split the difference. Iran could make some fuzzy commitments, with the details to be worked out later. But as the impasse drags on, the threat of renewed fighting grows."
Shorter Version: Lather, Rinse, and Repeat.