They've played that game for a long time, but the rules are changing. If Iran thinks that they can pull off a cheap PR stunt and make it stick, then it shows how out of touch they are. Even their own people won't rally behind the government. Instead they'll take it as either proof that the ayatollahs are fools for provoking the Americans, or proof that they're desperate for resorting to such brazen theatrics.
They ARE out of touch and they ARE desperate.