As global tensions rise, it appears that the old adage, “history repeats itself,” is proving chillingly accurate. While the world’s eyes dart nervously between news headlines, the United States and Iran find themselves once again in the diplomatic equivalent of a spiraling roller coaster ride. The drama is particularly piqued by a new Israeli intel report revealing an alleged plot by Iran to assassinate former President Trump, just to add a little extra spice to an already sizzling situation. It seems Iran hasn’t quite gotten the memo that assassination attempts are so last century.

The latest round of tit-for-tat strikes between the two nations, peppered with Iran’s strikes on U.S. military sites in Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait, raises the pressing question: will the U.S. respond? President Trump, never one to shy away from a strong statement, previously promised a formidable 20-to-1 response ratio for Iranian strikes. The fireworks have been flying across Iran all week as evidence of this commitment. Surprisingly, for the moment at least, President Trump is keeping the diplomatic channel open, likely betting on the hope that cooler heads will prevail.

Adding another layer to this theatrical standoff is Iran’s strategic fixation on the Straits of Hormuz. Iran’s leaders seem convinced that charging tolls in the Strait is their winning lotto ticket, attacking ships like they’re going out of style. This aggressive posturing reflects Iran’s ambition to control access to one of the world’s most significant choke points for oil transport—because who doesn’t want to hold a chunk of the global economy ransom for some greasy revenue? But the U.S. and its allies are far from rolling over. There’s a staunch belief in Washington that a rigorous and perhaps explosive response should follow any further acts of aggression by Iran.

Then, of course, there’s the colorful rhetoric from Iran’s parliament. The speaker accuses the U.S. of being a bully, all conspiring handshakes and broken promises. In what sounds like a scene from a dramatic B-movie, he warns America, in no uncertain terms, that any more “flailing around” will just sink them deeper. It’s a not-so-subtle hint to the U.S. to back off or face the consequences Iran seems very willing to deliver. Whether America bites the bait or continues to rely on creative Gulf ally interventions remains to be seen.

With so much happening, it’s difficult not to wonder about the timing of all these brouhahas. Some skeptics raise eyebrows at the possibility of Iran trying to stir the pot to impact American politics, conveniently as elections loom on the horizon. It’s a strategy as old as time: throw chaos into the opponent’s ranks and watch them juggle—the ultimate form of rubber-necking on the geopolitical highway. Until then, everyone holds their breath, hoping for a resolution to this complex situation before heading into what could be a long, hot summer of diplomatic drama.