In a world where political drama often feels like the plot of a blockbuster movie, President Trump is certainly playing the role of a determined action hero. As the tension with Iran continues to escalate, the focus remains on the critical Strait of Hormuz. Iran, despite facing crippling military setbacks, has managed to hold this key chokepoint hostage with its fleet of drones. The Strait is crucial as it carries a whopping 20% of the world’s oil and gas supply. Not one to back down, the President has given Iran a 48-hour ultimatum to clear the blockade, or face the wrath of “Operation Epic Fury.” The world waits with bated breath—well, that, and higher oil prices.

One has to wonder if anyone took this much delight in playing chess as President Trump appears to love shaking up the game of international diplomacy. Iran has been firing ballistic missiles, some mistakenly targeting naval bases as far as the island of Diego Garcia, and others simply showcasing their long-range capabilities. While these missiles haven’t hit their targets, they signal Iran’s potential reach into Europe. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is busy preparing a $200 billion request from Congress to continue operations against Iran, because nothing says national emergency like a massive defense package.

While President Trump rounds up allies, getting 20-plus nations to agree to help secure the Strait sounds impressive until you realize they haven’t actually volunteered to send ships. It’s like organizing a party where everyone says they’ll be there, but “forget” to bring any snacks—useful, right? The UK prefers to keep its dance card empty, avoiding a “wider war,” while Germany is having none of it, declaring, “This is not our war.” Quite the supportive coalition. Meanwhile, U.S. oil prices are giving everyone a side-eye, quietly climbing to $100 a barrel.

True to form, the Trump administration has made a move that might just make head-scratches a national pastime. By “unsanctioning” the oil Iran already has floating on the seas, it’s a clever twist in the ongoing economic tango. Allowing some 140 million barrels of Iranian oil to reach the global market is a tactical maneuver to stifle the energy crisis Iran hoped to create. The strategy, tackled alongside “drill, baby, drill” policies at home, feels like a masterclass in keeping one’s opponents at bay without ever missing a beat.

As time ticks down on the President’s ultimatum, bigger questions loom in the background: What’s next, and how many more surprises does Iran have tucked away in its arsenal? The Pentagon is busy with all sorts of preparations, and rumors are swirling of possible ground deployments inside Iran. While the fake news media outlets speculate chaos, experienced commanders and strategists are surely ready for all scenarios. The President, it seems, is less about sending strongly worded letters and more about making decisive calls—bear in mind, Iranians have managed to up the ante, but it’s President Trump who’s got his finger on the button labeled “game over.”