New Delhi, June 4 -- It was another dramatic yet desultory week on "The Hormuz Apprentice", a poorly rated reality-television show about Donald Trump's war with Iran. The American president said he was close to deciding on a deal to extend the ceasefire, only to demand further changes. Iran signalled it might abandon talks with America. Not to be outdone, Mr Trump said he too might "go silent". They kept talking anyway. Both sides bombed one another, as they have for weeks, despite a nominal truce.

For all the twists and turns, each episode ends on the same cliffhanger. America and Iran broadly agree on the contours of an agreement: prolong the ceasefire by at least 60 days; reopen the Strait of Hormuz; and deliver limited sanctions reli...