Just trying to piece together the picture of what is happening and asking why as well?
Clearly trying to provoke an Iranian response.
Next provocation could be on the high seas with oil tanker seizures. Two tankers already being linked by the US government to either the IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps), declared a “terrorist” organization making it subject to military action by the US, or to be violating sanctions against Syria.
If Iran can be pushed into violence it can be portrayed as the aggressor and perpetrator of violence. Any response to these actions can be portrayed as “Pearl Harbor”.
The Iranian regime is clearly a militant theocracy with military power, but we are talking again with China on trade and President Trump has talked to North Korea’s Kim Jong-un in spite of all of his ills.
Why not the Ayatollah?
The Ayatollah negotiates only with acts and postures. Kim only negotiates how China dictates. I think ultimately China is the subject of both theaters.