Iran did this but would have never done this except they want a land war with Saudi and allies. The reason they want this is to get support internally from their people. The fact Iran did this is proof they leadership is in danger. Sanctions are working. Their leadership is is in danger thus the provocations.
A land war with us is a no no for Iran and politically for us also. We would roll over them and then suffer the consequence of the left wing media. If one boot is on the ground in Iran it must be a Saudi. Omani or UAE boot. Not our boots.
If you really want to stop this crap it would not be that difficult. When the Iranian National Parliament convenes you have most of their leaders there. Take it out! Also take out each and every leader of the Red Guard that we know the location of. Iran would then collapse into chaos. In fact it is very near to chaos today.
It may come to that, but for this SA can respond by doing similar damage to Iran facilities (With our help, of course. Seems they can’t do anything on their own. Their Yemen forces are almost all mercenary.)
Iran was counting on a lot more support frm China against US sanctions. Doing something like this that raises the price of oil shows me they’re not happy with that support.
SA’s use of ‘mercenary’ support,like many ME countries, doesn’t make them good allies. As you say, let their men die for them- not ours.