The U.S. Navy began escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz last week, only for the operation to be suspended after President Donald Trump cited progress in peace talks with Iran.

This chaotic oscillation in strategy reflects a broader trend. Throughout this war, the Trump administration has moved back and forth between talking about regime change versus ending Iran’s nuclear threat, offering premature declarations of victory, then signaling openness to arrangements that fell well short of the earlier stated objectives. Tehran thus senses that Washington may be searching for an exit on any terms. Just as long as the exit comes sooner rather than later. That gives Iran an incentive to drag out the negotiations.