My interpretation is that Iran did not want to look like a wimp. They value symbolism and their own form of virtue signaling.
But Iran also wants to avoid further strikes by Trump. It they killed Americans, Trump would likely retaliate in kind. But if the hit the empty space that always exists on an air base, then they could avoid looking like wimps while avoiding any justifiable (in their eyes) attach from the US.
Our media and Academia love virtue signaling.
Exactly right.