my best guess is that they're trying to get the iranians to shoot at them, but the truth is that they already have been. claims that this action are in breach of "international law" are absurd - iran has been attacking american interests in the region for
decades. arguments might be made about proportionality, but how could anybody argue the americans haven't shown restraint? they are refusing to replace the government. i'm opposed to what they're doing because it's far too restrained, and is being restrained naively, to attempt to arrive at an impossible outcome.
nonetheless.
if they are trying to get the iranians to shoot at them, to sink something, to justify making this a real war, it is legally unnecessary, but overdue, nonetheless. this should have been a short operation to tear down the aristocracy and get out, not a drawn out attempt to sign a treaty with an irrational cult. they don't need this justification, but if they want it, so be it.